Migrant care workers have just won an incredible victory, reminding us all how powerful we can be when we raise our voices collectively.
In direct response to years of grassroots organizing, the federal government announced a new pilot program this weekend, which will, for the first time, allow care workers to have a sector specific work permit which give workers more flexibility to change employers when facing violations of rights. This means that abusive employers will have a harder time taking advantage of care workers, because these workers won't have to risk deportation to get away from a bad situation. In addition, care workers will now be able to bring their families with them to Canada. Click here to read more.
This is an important step forward in the struggle for workers’ rights, women’s rights and racial justice. There is no doubt that our fight to win $15 & Fairness for ALL workers continues – that means pushing for permanent residency status upon arrival and getting rid of exemptions that exclude migrant workers from basic employment rights.
Provincially, it is clear Premier Doug Ford is not interested in making life better for workers in Ontario. Why else would he lower fines for employers who break the law, and take away 2 meagre paid sick days a year from millions of workers?
Right now, Ford is forging ahead with Bill 66 which will cancel protections against unpaid overtime and excessive hours of work -- leading to more precarious jobs. (Click here to speak against Bill 66). Because of this government's attacks on the basic rights and services our communities rely on, many of us are hurting.
From minimum wage earners to the parents of children with autism, and from post-secondary students, staff, and faculty to early childhood educators, everybody is forced to make sacrifices EXCEPT corporate executives who profit from poverty wages while failing to pay their fair share of taxes. We will not tolerate this.
By organizing in every neighbourhood, workplace, and campus and by raising our voices in local media (see an example from Parry-Sound Muskoka by clicking here), we will hold this government to account. The Ford government may have a majority of seats inside the Ontario Legislature, but we are the majority on the streets -- and resistance is growing!
There are several events coming up across Ontario (scroll below), please make every effort to join us in person to take action.
February 27
TORONTO, UofT $15 & Fairness says NO to Bill 66!
Wednesday, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Sid Smith Hall, University of Toronto St George
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
KITCHENER, Waterloo Region Power of Many: Activation Meeting
Wednesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | ETFO Waterloo
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
February 28
NORTH BAY, North Bay Power of Many: Regional Activation Meeting
Thursday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | OPSEU Region 6 Union Hall
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
March 4
KINGSTON, Kingston Workplace Rights Survey Outreach
Monday, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Cataraqui Centre Transit Stop
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
HAMILTON, Hamilton Power of Many: Regional Activation Meeting
Monday, 7:15 PM - 9:00 PM | Carpenters Union Local 18
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
March 7
TORONTO, Fighting for Labour Rights: A Public Health Issue
Thursday, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
March 9
TORONTO, International Women's Day Toronto Rally and March
Saturday, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (RALLY), March starts at 1:00 PM | Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
This year we will be marching with care workers! Save the date and see you there!
Click here to RSVP and share on Facebook
March 10
BRAMPTON, Brampton Organizing Meeting
Sunday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Knightsbridge Community and Senior Citizens Centre
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook
March 11
KINGSTON, Kingston Strategy Meeting
Monday, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Rober Sutherland Hall, Queens University
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March 12
TORONTO, Toronto Wide Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | 720 Spadina Avenue
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March 13
BRAMPTON, Rally: Brampton Workers Say No to Bill 66
Wednesday, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Main Street/ Bovaird Drive Intersection
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March 19
OSHAWA, Durham Power of Many: Regional Activation Meeting
Tuesday, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | IBEW Hall
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March 21
TORONTO, Toronto Rally: #UniteAgainstRacism
Thursday, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Nathan Philips Square
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March 25
TORONTO, Power of Many: Take Back Ontario Conference
Monday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM | Metro Toronto Convention Centre
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April 3
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