The number of working poor in the Toronto Region increased by 42% between 2000 and 2005, according to a new study from the Metcalf Foundation. This group accounted for more than 70,000 adults in the city of Toronto and more then 113,000 in the region overall. Toronto’s working poor live in a region with the… contine reading
Updates
Stop the $6 million cut to Employment Standards enforcement
When WAC members learned that the provincial government was planning to cut $6 million from Employment Standards enforcement in 2012, we took to the streets immediately and started mobilizing to stop the cut. WAC members speak out in our “Stop the $ million cut” video – part of our campaign to pressure the Ontario government… contine reading
Remembering the Struggles of Migrant Workers – Vigil
On December 18, 2011, migrant and their allies around the world came together on factory floors, in farm fields, in hotels and construction sites, and on the streets to commemorate and celebrate the struggles of migrant workers on the “Global Day of Action Against Racism, and for the Rights of Migrants, Refugees and Displaced People”.… contine reading
WAC Member inspires over 1000 union members at OFL convention
Estina Sebastien-Geetan, a leader at the Workers’ Action Centre, gave an inspiring speech to over 1,000 delegates at the Ontario Federation of Labour Convention! Estina urged the labour movement to join our Stop Wage Theft campaign and to build solidarity across our struggles for fairness at work. Here is some of Estina’s speech: “We need… contine reading
Service Canada Office Closures causing serious delays for workers accessing EI
Accessing services is going to get a lot more difficult for workers needing EI. The Federal Government has announced a merger of Service Canada Centres from 120 to just 22 operating across the country over the next 3 years. There will be now only 6 processing centres in Ontario! The sites will be Richmond Hill… contine reading
Lillia stands up against wage theft and receives $2300 in unpaid wages!
Lilia had to fight for over a year, but she finally won her fight to be paid the minimum wage and be treated as an employee. When Lilia started working at a downtown cleaning company, she was told she had to start her own company to be paid. For many months, Lilia worked as an… contine reading
A Fair Day’s Pay: The Movement to End Wage Theft – strategies from our U.S. allies
Over the last decade, grassroots opposition to wage theft has grown dramatically across the United States. Wage theft, the illegal underpayment of wages primarily affects the working poor. It is widespread and occurs in various forms and industries. It is estimated that millions of low wage workers annually are not paid at legally required overtime… contine reading
Toronto Community Foundation “Vital Signs” highlights findings of WAC research report
This week the Toronto Community Foundation released its 2011 Vital Signs report. In their chapter on Work, the report highlights findings from the Workers’ Action Centre’s report Unpaid Wages, Unprotected Workers released in May 2011. Our report found that 33% of low-wage workers surveyed had experienced unpaid wages, and 22% had been paid less than… contine reading
WAC Members speak out about Wage Theft at Provincial All Candidates Meetings
WAC members from our Scarborough and Downtown Organizing Committees attended All Candidates Meetings across the city to ask provincial candidates from all parties what they will do, if elected, to Stop Wage Theft! Members also handed each candidate a copy of our report “Unpaid Wages, Unprotected Workers”, which exposes a reality of work for many… contine reading
Wage Theft Video 4 – Outdated Laws, No Enforcement are failing Ontario’s Workers
Lilliane and Vivian worked endless hours for two separate families taking care of young children and disabled seniors. As live-in caregivers, they gave their care and love and a majority of their lives to people who became like family members to them over the years. Both were forced to leave their jobs, and heartbreakingly the… contine reading