While marking today’s International Women’s Day, we are thankful for your ongoing support to close the equity gap in workplaces.
As recent data show, on average, women in Ontario earn 70 cents for every dollar a man makes. Newcomer women earn 66 cents, and women of color earn 62 cents. Meanwhile Indigenous women earn a mere 57 cents, for every dollar earned by their white, male counterparts. This is simply unacceptable.
Take action!
Scroll below to see upcoming local events
Shamefully, instead of trying to close this outrageous gap, the Ford government has turned to its corporate friends to come up with excuses to scrap the very legislation (named the Pay Transparency Act) that was brought in last year to address this kind of gross inequality in the workplace. Click here to read the Huffington Post story to learn more.
The truth is, Labour Minister Laurie Scott’s “public consultation”, favours Big Business voices, while closing the door on input from workers and women. As the Toronto Star editorial notes, this review is not asking women: “How does earning 30 per cent less than a man impact your ability to pay bills, educate your children, pay for housing and retire?” Yet the government is eager to find out how to save a few more dollars for corporations, at our expense.
Women and racialized workers are over represented in minimum wage work. Years of academic research show that a $15 minimum wage would lift workers out of poverty, and strengthen the economy. But because of Premier Ford, we won’t see a $15 minimum wage until at least 2025. And although the evidence shows that the right to equal pay for equal work could curb the rise in precarious employment, the Conservative government also cancelled this. Now they are going after the Pay Transparency Act.
It goes without saying that women and men both stand to gain when women are paid fairly. Equal pay would increase resources available for households, for parenting, for elder care, and would boost local businesses as women experience greater disposable income.
This is just one more reason why we keep fighting for $15 and Fairness. Today, on the International Women’s Day, join us in redoubling our efforts to make workplaces fairer for ALL workers. Please make every effort to come out to an event near you (scroll below), and if you can please donate to sustain the fight for equity (click here) – every bit helps, no amount is too large or too small.
Saturday, March 9th
TORONTO, Marching at IWD: In solidarity with Migrant Care Workers
Saturday, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM | OISE, University of Toronto
In Toronto, this year we are marching in solidarity with migrant care workers who recently won an incredible victory, which will give workers more flexibility to change employers when facing violations of rights. Come out and march with us. If you cannot attend in person, lend your support by signing this important petition.
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Sunday, March 10th
BRAMPTON, Brampton Organizing Meeting
Sunday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Knightsbridge Seniors Club
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Monday, March 11th
KINGSTON, Kingston Strategy Meeting
Monday, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Rober Sutherland Hall, Queens University
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Tuesday, March 12th
TORONTO, Toronto Wide Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | 720 Spadina Ave
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
OTTAWA, Ottawa Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | 251 Bank Street, 2nd floor
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Wednesday, March 13th
TORONTO, Willowdale wants $15 and Fairness
Wednesday, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Sheppard-Yonge TTC station.
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
BRAMPTON, Brampton Workers Say NO to Bill 66!
Wednesday, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Main Street/ Bovaird Drive
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Thursday, March 14th
TORONTO, Bill 66 is bad for health. Tell Ford to share the wealth!
Thursday, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Queens Park Station
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Friday, March 15th
SCARBOROUGH, Scarborough-Centre: Bill 66 is Bad for Workers!
Friday, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Warden Ave & Lawrence Ave E
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
SCARBOROUGH, Scarbrough-Rouge Park: Bill 66 is Bad for Workers!
Friday, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Morningside Ave & Sheppard Ave E
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
TORONTO, Rally for Our Future! Climate Strike for Good Jobs
Friday, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | York University Student Centre
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
BARRIE, Community Outreach and Education
Friday, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Meridian Place Barrie
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Sunday, March 17th
NIAGARA, Niagara #UniteAgainstRacism
Sunday, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM |1665 Four Mile Creek Rd
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Tuesday, March 19th
OSHAWA, Durham Power of Many: Regional Activation Meeting
Tuesday, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | IBEW Hall
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Wednesday, March 20th
KITCHENER, Waterloo Region Power of Many: Regional Activation Meeting
Wednesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | ETFO Waterloo
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Thursday, March 21st
TORONTO, Toronto: #UniteAgainstRacism
Thursday, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Nathan Philips Square
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Monday, March 25th
TORONTO, Power of Many: Take Back Ontario Conference
Monday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM | Metro Toronto Convention
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Wednesday, April 3rd
SAULT STE MARIE, Sault Ste. Marie Power of Many: Regional Activation Meeting
Wednesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | OPSEU Regional Office
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
Sunday, April 28th
BRAMPTON, Brampton Organizing Meeting
Sunday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Knightsbridge Senior Citizens Centre
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook