” …..decency at work is a fundamental and principled commitment that Ontario should accept as a basis for enacting all its laws governing the workplace.” Strong words of introduction as the Special Advisors released their Interim Report on Wednesday, July 27. 2016. The Ontario government launched the Changing Workplaces Review in early 2015. WAC members… contine reading
Enforcement
‘Ontario employers get slap on wrist for mistreating employees’: 4th article in Toronto Star series on precarious work
The current enforcement model of employment standards in Ontario does little to deter violations of the law: the system is understaffed, depends on workers who have experienced violations to confront their bosses, and rarely imposes penalties on employers beyond what they already should have paid. Good enforcement should make it cost – not pay –… contine reading
‘Ontario allowing employers to fire workers without cause’: 3rd article in Toronto Star series on precarious work
The Employment Standards Act is supposed to set the minimum floor of standards for workers in non-unionized jobs. But a dizzying array of exemptions, loopholes, and gaps in the law have eroded that floor of rights and protections, and too many workers are falling through the cracks. Read this week’s article, ‘Ontario allowing employers to… contine reading
Public consultations announced for labour law Review
The Ontario government has announced the dates and locations of the first public consultations being undertaken for its review of labour laws, the Changing Workplaces Review (CWR). The dates and locations are as follows: To register to make a presentation at the consultations, email CWR.SpecialAdvisors@ontario.ca or call 1-888-868-5844. These public consultations are an important opportunity… contine reading
Toronto Star series on precarious work: every Monday in May
As the government embarks on a review of the Employment Standards Act and Labour Relations Act in Ontario, the Toronto Star is doing a four-part series on some of the key issues facing workers in precarious and low-wage jobs in the province. The series features interviews with workers, many of them members of the Workers’… contine reading
Executive Summary now available: Still Working on the Edge
An executive summary is now available for the groundbreaking report released by the Workers’ Action Centre on March 31, Still Working on the Edge: Rebuilding Decent Jobs from the Ground Up. Download and share widely! The Ontario government has launched a review of the Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act, during which it will… contine reading
WAC joins the Fight for $15 & Fairness campaign launch
On April 15, the Fight for $15 & Fairness officially launched across Ontario, with over 15 actions in 10 cities! Actions took place in Toronto, London, Peterborough, Hamilton, Ottawa, North Bay, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Oshawa. April 15 was a day of global action, with the Fight for $15 in the US organizing actions in… contine reading
“$15 and Fairness” campaign launched
WAC joined allies from across Canada and North America to launch the “Fight for $15 and Fairness” campaign. Toronto-area workers rallied for decent work with actions at the Ministry of Labour offices on University Avenue, at Pearson International Airport and at McDonald’s Canada headquarters. “Current employment and labour laws are so full of holes and… contine reading
New Report Released: Still Working on the Edge
The Ontario government has launched a review of the Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act, during which it will undertake “consultations on the changing nature of modern workplaces”. Members of the Workers’ Action Centre have spent the past year, building upon previous research, identifying key problems workers are facing in the labour market… contine reading
Ontario government to review employment standards
With today’s announcement, this government can make good on it’s promise to modernize employment laws to reflect today’s economic reality. This is particularly urgent for Toronto where nearly half of all workers are in short-term, part-time or precarious employment. Too many workers are not protected by existing laws – certain sectors are intentionally exempted from… contine reading