2016 has been full of effective organizing in communities across Ontario. The many groups that make up $15 and Fairness have only gotten stronger in the fight for decent work. Health providers, migrant workers, students, unions and more continue to speak up for a $15 minimum wage, paid sick days, and improved, updated labour laws. The… contine reading
Wage Theft
Changing Workplaces Review Interim Report released – Join us in our fight for real change!
” …..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
Worker wins her stolen wages after 1 year & 5 months
Martha Jaramillo is a member of the Workers’ Action Centre. She came to us in the spring of 2014 when her wages went unpaid and she was fired. WAC helped Martha file a claim with the Ministry of Labour and, in October 2014, the Ministry issued an order to pay instructing her boss to pay… contine reading
‘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
“$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
Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014: How the laws have changed
Following years of hard work and organizing by Workers’ Action Centre members and their allies, Bill 18, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, became law on November 20, 2014. The Act makes several important changes to the laws governing working conditions for people in Ontario, including better provisions to curb wage theft, increased protections… contine reading