Last week, Unifor Local 414, the union representing 4,000 workers at Metro grocery stores in the Greater Toronto Area, negotiated a collective agreement that pushes back on erratic scheduling and insufficient hours for part-time workers. Read about the agreement here. The agreement guarantees minimum hours for workers and requires that workers get their schedules 5 days in advance – two things that Ontario’s Employment Standards Act doesn’t do. As the Ontario government reviews the province’s labour laws for both unionized and non-unionized workers, now is the time to raise the floor of minimum standards for all workers. Workers need laws that create decent work, including a $15 minimum wage, sufficient hours, schedules at least two weeks in advance, and more full-time work. Read about our demands for Decent Hours for Decent Incomes here.

Tell the government why you think workers in Ontario need better laws. Email Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn, or tweet him @OntMinLabour @MPPKevinFlynn. Tell him it’s #time4decentwork and #15andfairness in Ontario, and ask your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbours to do the same.

Two additional public consultations announced for the Changing Workplaces Review (CWR)

The Ministry of Labour recently announced that two new cities and dates will be added to the public consultations taking place across the province as part of the government’s labour law review. Public consultations will now also be held in St. Catharines on July 22 and Kingston on July 29. Information on how to participate in the consultations is available on the Ministry of Labour’s website.

Upcoming events:

Do you want to get involved in the Fight for $15 & Fairness? Here are a few upcoming events happening across the province.

Sudbury, July 23
The Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre (SWEAC) and its allies are preparing to make presentations at the Public Consultation for the CWR in Sudbury on July 23. They are asking for members of the public to pack the gallery to show support. Please contact Nicole at 705-470-3323 or [email protected] to confirm your attendance and get a campaign placard.

Thursday July 23, 11:30am-3:00pm (SWEAC will be presenting at 2pm)
Quality Inn & Conference Centre, 390 Elgin St. South

Cambridge, July 23
The Social Planning Council of Cambridge & North Dumpfries and House of Friendship are hosting an Employment Standards Community Forum, featuring speakers from Waterloo Region Community Legal Services and the Workers’ Action Centre. Come share your experiences and hear about how workers are organizing for decent work!

Thursday July 23, 7pm-9pm
Calvary Pentecostal Assembly
127 Hespeler Road

Toronto, August 4
If you live in the Toronto area and want to get involved in the Fight for $15 & Fairness, come to our next volunteers meeting! Please RSVP to [email protected].

Tuesday August 4
Refreshments at 5:30pm, meeting at 6pm
Workers’ Action Centre
720 Spadina Ave., Suite 223

Stay tuned about more upcoming events: check out our Take Action page and sign up for regular email updates.