There are many ads in the newspaper and on the internet promising a great career and good pay as a security guard. This is not often the reality. Many security guards receive low pay, no benefits and have little protection on the job – and often are new immigrants and/or young workers who may not… contine reading
Updates
Solidarity with our US allies: WAC visits New York City
The weekend of March 30, 2012, a contingent of WAC staff and members visited workers’ centres in New York City — to build alliances, share strategies, and make a difference for workers all over North America. The WAC group was also joined by members from the Caregivers’ Action Centre and Justicia for Migrant Workers. Our… contine reading
The Ontario Budget 2012: The provincial government abandons its poverty reduction promise
The 2012 Ontario budget abandons the McGuinty Government’s poverty reduction strategy – a commitment to reduce poverty by 25% by 2013. A freeze on social assistance means that, after inflation, Ontarians with the lowest incomes will be dragged further into poverty. The budget ignores the child care crisis. Instead of building jobs, revenues to fund… contine reading
Fighting back and winning in Hamilton with Steel City Solidarity
Karen came to Steel City Solidarity after being fired by her employer. After years of working for them as an employee, the company suddenly wanted to declare her an independent contractor, even though she was doing the exact same job as before. She refused to accept this. For months she was pressured while the company… contine reading
Repeat offender continues wage theft across Ontario
Eyob speaks out……I came to Windsor Canada in 2009 from Africa. I was very excited as I dropped off my resume and applied for my first job in this country. The owner seemed very happy to see me and I was soon hired. I was very happy to get this job as there are not… contine reading
No consequences makes it easy to break the law
Gary speaks out… I moved to Toronto from Vancouver in October 2009, because my mother took ill. Since being here I have worked many different jobs and faced violations in all of them. I am sickened by it. After working for a maintenance company for three weeks I did not receive a pay cheque. I… contine reading
Speaking out could mean losing your job
Aliza speaks out… I have been here in Canada for almost 6 years working hard. I worked at a beverage company as a temporary agency worker for 1 year. I was paid $9.00 per hour, which is under the minimum wage, with no vacation pay. At the end of the year I was asking for… contine reading
Students can’t afford wage theft
Alberto speaks out… Facing an employer for unpaid wages is a nerve-racking experience. Feelings of anxiety, exploitation, degradation and desperation overtake you, which are only amplified by the idea that you may not get paid after working so hard just to earn an honest living. I experienced working with an employer who had no difficulty… contine reading
Wage theft hits women hard in Ontario
Mayra and Cristhina speak out… We found work in a hotel in the Muskoka area through an agency. The pay that we received was always $10 per hour, whether we worked overtime or not. This is less than the minimum wage. When we left our job, the employer told us that she would not pay… contine reading
WAC Members urge their local MPP’s to keep $6M for enforcement
WAC Members have been attending MPP events and visiting their local MPP offices to bring to their attention the issues facing Ontario workers in low wage and precarious employment as part of our Stop Wage Theft campaign. Members have been also urging MPP’s not to cut $6 million from the employment standards enforcement budget in… contine reading