Isabelle and Nia, hairdressers who were owed almost $10,000 in unpaid wages from Mankind Grooming, successfully recovered the full amount today. Once again, workers have proved that when we fight back, we win! We have cancelled the community action that was set for this evening. A heartfelt thanks to all of you who were planning… contine reading
Victories
This Valentine’s Day, give workers the gift of justice!
It was over two years ago when Isabelle realized she and her co-workers were not being paid in full. When Isabelle blew the whistle on Mankind Grooming, a Toronto hair salon, she was fired. No worker deserves this injustice. When Isabelle Faure and Nia Scarcelli filed complaints back in 2018, the Ministry of Labour investigated… contine reading
Former temp agency worker files lawsuit after being fired for speaking out
Yesterday, long-time WAC member Angel Reyes filed a lawsuit in small claims court against Canada Fibres Ltd. and United Staffing Services for wrongful dismissal. Angel worked for almost 5 years sorting garbage at Canada Fibres Ltd., Toronto’s largest recycling plant, through a temp agency, United Staffing Services. He earned minimum wage, had no benefits and… 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
Why a $15 minimum wage is a federal election issue
There is a growing consensus across Canada – and indeed across North America – that all workers deserve at least $15 an hour. So popular is the notion of a $15 minimum wage that the matter is now a key issue in the federal election. Tellingly, opponents of a federal $15 minimum wage are not… contine reading
Part-time & temporary workers earn lower hourly wages than full-timers doing the same jobs. Stop the Wage Gap!
The Employment Standards Act does not prevent employers from paying lower hourly wages to part-time and temporary workers. This acts as an incentive for employers to hire people on a part-time or temporary basis, instead of promoting full-time work. In January 2015, part-timers earned median wages that were only 51% of what full-timers earned, 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
WAC Members Speak Out, Win Improvements to Employment Laws
Thanks to years of hard work by WAC members and their allies, Bill 18 has been adopted by the Ontario Legislative Assembly. The bill introduces changes that will help curb wage theft, better protect temp agency workers and peg the minimum wage to annual increases in the cost of living. WAC members and allies made… contine reading
Bill 18: Workers Win Historic Improvements in Employment Standards
After years of organizing, members of the Workers’ Action Centre breathed a sigh of relief on November 6, 2014 as Members of Provincial Parliament gave final approval to legislation that will help curb wage theft, better protect temp agency workers, and peg the minimum wage to annual increases in the cost of living. “This Bill… contine reading
Let’s make Bill 18 for “Stronger Workplaces” even stronger!
The Ontario government has re-introduced legislation that takes some important steps to improve the working conditions of workers in unstable employment – Bill 18 The Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014. Many of these changes are good for workers, but more must be done to truly bring fairness to our workplaces. We need… contine reading