Today is a big day. Migrant workers just won a repeal of the discriminatory 4-and-4 rule that has forced thousands of people to leave or become undocumented over the last year. This victory is just in time for December 18th – International Migrants Day.

While changes are being won at the federal level, so much work needs to be done right here in Ontario. Migrant workers grow food, work in restaurants and factories, and take care of children, the sick and the elderly, but they are denied the most basic rights.

Between now and December 18, send a message to Kevin Flynn, Ontario’s Minister of Labour and Premier Kathleen Wynne to insist that Ontario’s labour laws must change to ensure greater rights for migrant workers.

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL FLYNN & WYNNE

Migrant caregivers dressed as robots speak at the Queen’s Park Rally for Decent Work on October 1, 2016. 

Migrant workers work in some of the most dangerous and difficult jobs in Ontario, and have some of the lowest wages and protections. It’s no accident that many of the industries that are primarily made up of migrant workers are exempted from the Employment Standards Act (ESA).

As a result, migrant workers are denied the most basic protections under the law, such as minimum wages, hours of work, the ability to unionize and more. When one industry is exempted from providing minimum standards, that puts a downward pressure on the working conditions of all workers. This helps explain why today less than 25% of all workers are fully protected by the minimum standards in the ESA.

Migrant workers’ participation in our decent work movement is crucial to our ability to win. Unfortunately, bad employers and some journalists have pitted migrant workers against unemployed and underemployed Ontario workers. Instead of fighting at the bottom of the barrel for bad jobs, we must unite to increase rights for everyone and improve all our working conditions.

TELL THE GOVERNMENT: WE ARE ALL UNITED

As we continue increasing the pressure on our elected officials to deliver decent work legislation in 2017, let’s send a clear message. We are fighting for $15 & fairness, where fairness also means justice for migrant workers! Please take a moment now to sign the petition addressing Minister Flynn and Premier Wynne.

With December already here, we can see the end of 2016 — but our campaign shows little sign of slowing down! In the past few days, $15 & Fairness meetings were held in Kingston, Ottawa and Toronto, and our Decent Work Sing-Along videos are pouring in from across the province! And there’s lots of time to keep spreading $15 & Fairness cheer across our communities.

Scroll down for upcoming events, including tomorrow’s actions in Ottawa and Toronto,and read about the November 29th Day of Disruption in the US: 

December 3
TORONTO: SANTA’S HELPERS NEED A RAISE!
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | Southeast Corner of Yonge and Dundas click here for a map
Join us to raise our voices in unison to celebrate all the workers who make our holiday season festive!  As part of the holiday action, we’ll be singing songs, handing out leaflets and candy canes and collecting signatures on postcards for MPPs. Everyone is welcome: bring along your friends, kids and co-workers.
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here. To download the flyer, click here.

OTTAWA: CAROLLING FOR DECENT WORK
11:00 am to 1:00 pm | St. Laurent Mall click here for a map
December is a busy shopping season, making this a better time to share our message of decent work with retail workers and shoppers. The Fight for $15 & Fairness is dressing up our demands in festive cheer, music and singing – join us!
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

December 9
TORONTO: STOP PRIVATIZATION OF LCBO!
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | 595 Bay Street click here for a map
Fighting for fairness also means defending decent jobs and making sure that public services stay in public hands. Right now, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario has primary responsibility for alcohol sales and those who work there help ensure that alcohol is sold responsibly and that any revenues generated are used to support public services and decent jobs. Unfortunately, the Ontario government is preparing to give our public services to private corporations who will want to cut jobs and wages in order to maximize their own profit. All Ontarians own the LCBO and it should not be sold out from under us. On December 9, let’s support LCBO workers — members of the Ontario Public Services Employees’ Union — to say Keep the LCBO Public!
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

December 10
OTTAWA: CAROLLING FOR DECENT WORK
11:00 am to 1:00 pm | Bayshore Mall click here for a map [Meet at the main mall entrance on the 5th parking level – P5, between Walmart & Hudson Bay]
Join us for a little carolling, leafleting and petitioning at the Bayshore Mall. Help us share our message of decent work with retail workers and shoppers. The Fight for $15 & Fairness is dressing up our demands in festive cheer, music and singing – come out!
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

BRAMPTON & MISSISSAUGA: MAKE IT FAIR ASSEMBLY
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Gore Meadows Community Centre – 10150 The Gore Road, Brampton click here for a map
Join in a great training session on how to tell our stories to mobilize in our communities and for changes to our employment laws.
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

TORONTO: MUSLIM COMMUNITY OUTREACH
11:00 am to 3:00 pm | REGENT PARK click here for a map

We believe that, as Muslim workers, we can play an integral part in pushing our government to make meaningful strides to improve working conditions. And raising the minimum wage to $15 is an important step toward eliminating poverty in Ontario. Help engage the Muslim community in a conversation about poverty and workers rights. Don’t know much about the issue? Never done community outreach before? No worries! We’ll spend our first hour training you to talk to poeple about the issues. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

• 11:00 am to 12:00 pm: Crash course on community outreach
• 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm: Community outreach
• 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Lunch on us and debrief

Collect signatures on postcards for MPPs
Assemble a few friends and coworkers, to help lead the way. We’re asking everyone to sign a holiday postcard to their Member of Provincial Parliament, so that MPPs know that voters in their ridings expect decent work legislation in 2017. Tell us how many postcards you can use in your community, campus or workplace and we’ll send them to you ASAP.

Email us at [email protected] to request postcards, and be sure to include your mailing address as well as the quantity of cards you need.

Take the Decent Work Sing-Along Challenge!
If you haven’t done so already, join the many student, community and labour groups that have already added their voices to the Decent Work Sing-Along! It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4!

• STEP 1: Assemble your Decent Work Sing-Along squad — or go solo!
• STEP 2: Choose a Decent Work song from the $15 & Fairness songbook (we revised the words of a few holidays songs to reflect our demands for decent work) — or make up your own lyrics! Then choose the person, group or union you are daring to take the Decent Work Sing-Along Challenge.
• STEP 3: Record your song – and don’t forget to include the person, group or union you’re daring to take the Challenge. (You can record it on your smartphone or use Facebook Live.)
• STEP 4: Post your video on Facebook or Twitter. Make sure to include the campaign website (15andfairness.org) and tag both $15 & Fairness as well as the person, group or union you are challenging.

Let’s make sure that our message of harmony, unity and solidarity is the one that prevails this holiday season. We’ll circulate the Decent Work Sing-Along videos via Facebook andTwitter. 

‘Day of Disruption’ sees strikes, occupations & demonstrations in 340 US cities
The Fight for $15 movement in the US has grown significantly, winning wage increases for nearly 20 million workers and putting an additional $62 billion into workers’ pockets. In addition to higher minimum wages, the Fight for $15 has won paid sick days, fairer scheduling and measures to mitigate involuntary part-time employment. The magnificent November 29 Day of Disruption involved tens of thousands of workers across the US — scores of whom were arrested. This inspiring action shows the growth and transformation of the movement since 2012 when just 200 non-union workers at McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King in New York City took strike action and walked off the job.

Don’t miss the Fight for $15’s inspirational N29 call-out video posted on Facebook, here. And for an excellent overview of both news stories and pictures from the day, visit the Fight for $15 website here.

As The Guardian states: “The Fight for 15 has grown into one of the nation’s largest progressive movements, alongside movements by undocumented immigrants, Black Lives Matter and environmental activists fighting global warming. Beginning with fast-food workers, the Fight for 15 now includes other groups, including childcare workers, home-care aides, airport workers and adjunct professors.”

The tremendous strength, confidence and momentum of the US movement gives us a glimpse of what might be possible here at home — but only if we redouble our efforts to make sure that 2017 is the year we win $15 and Fairness for everyone in Ontario.

This year the Fight for $15 and Fairness will be asking everyone to sign a holiday postcard to their Member of Provincial Parliament. We want to make sure that all MPPs know that voters in their ridings are expecting MPPs to deliver decent work legislation in 2017. 

Let us know right away how many postcards you can use in your community, campus or workplace and we’ll send them to you ASAP. To request postcards, send us an email at [email protected] and be sure to include your mailing address and the quantity of cards you need.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, we have revised the lyrics to a few holiday songs (click here to download the songbook). We hope you will join in some carolling as we collect signatures on holiday postcards. All it takes is a little advance practice, some elf hats and antlers, a few jingle bells, some candy canes, a dose of holiday cheer, and a dash of chutzpah! So let’s organize, sing, tweet, email and callout for $15 and Fairness for all workers! If you are interested in organizing an action on your campus or in your community, email us at [email protected].

$15 AND FAIRNESS HOLIDAY CARDS
In response to numerous requests, we have printed some limited edition $15 and Fairness holiday cards for personal use! These folding cards have the gorgeous artwork on the front, but they are blank inside so you can write your own notes to your friends and family, and each card comes with a custom-sized envelope.

You may order a package of 10 cards (& envelopes) for $15.00 per package (plus $5.00 postage & handling). For $60 you may order 5 packages (50 cards & envelopes) and we’ll pay the postage.

Supplies are limited and orders will be met on a “first come, first served” basis. Order yours now by emailing us at [email protected]. The deadline for ordering holiday cards is Friday, December 2 at noon, or until supplies last.

SIGN & SHARE: FAITH LEADERS’ STATEMENT
We need your help raising awareness of this important statement signed by faith leaders. You may print copies of the statement to take directly to those you are inviting to sign on. (You can mail us the hard copies or take a photo and email them.) 

Attention Students: There are numerous student-based faith groups on college and university campuses! We encourage you get in touch with campus-based faith leaders and invite them to sign the statement. 

December 3
TORONTO: SANTA’S HELPERS NEED A RAISE!
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | Southeast Corner of Yonge and Dundas click here for a map
Let’s get organized to celebrate the holidays and pay tribute to the workers who make our festive season possible. From farm workers to grocery store workers and from shopping centres to the LCBO, we simply couldn’t eat, drink, or be merry, without the hard work of these amazing people. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here. To download the flyer, click here.

UPCOMING ACTIONS

November 12
OTTAWA: OTTAWA-VANIER MAKE IT FAIR CANVASS
10:00 am to 1:00 pm | 405 St Laurent Blvd Ottawa click here for a map
On November 17, voters in the riding of Ottawa-Vanier will be electing a new Member of Provincial Parliament. Let’s make sure that fair labour laws and a $15 minimum wage are key issues in this byelection. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

November 12 & 13
TORONTO: CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
1:00 pm to 6:30 pm | Carlton Cinema click here for a map
The Canadian Labour International Film Festival (CLIFF) is marking its 8th year with a fantastic lineup of Canadian and international films focusing on labour, workers and labour activists, both past and present. This year’s theme is “Workers Leading the Way” and reflects our desire to acknowledge all the work, dedication, and sacrifice workers have made to improve the lives of everyone, both inside and outside the workplace. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

$15 AND FAIRNESS FILMS AT CLIFF
November 12: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm | Carlton Cinema click here for a map

A Living Wage At the front lines of the struggle in Boston for a $15 minimum wage and union rights are Darius Cephas, a McDonald”™s fry cook, and Tiny Figueroa, barista at Dunkin”™ Donuts. Over the course of one year, this film follows Tiny and Darius as they organize for economic justice, help build a major grassroots social movement and force local politicians into action.

Pay Your Interns! This film is a brutally honest, unapologetic critique of the shady practice of Canadian employers turning a blind eye to the Employment Standards Act by “hiring” interns, who are expected to perform the work of a “paid” employee, for free.  

November 14
TORONTO: STOP PRIVATIZATION INFO BLITZ
7:00 am to 9:00 am | Subway Stations across Toronto
We are encouraging supporters of the Fight for $15 and Fairness to join with We Own It campaigners to make the connection between decent work and strong, publicly owned and delivered services. On Monday, head over to one of these subway stations to help spread the word: Dufferin Station – St George Station – Queen’s Park Station – Bloor/Yonge Station – Union Sta
tion – Dundas Station – College Station – Wellesley Station – Eglinton Station. To download the flyer, click here.

TORONTO: POP-UP MEETING – PROTECT PUBLIC SERVICES 
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm | Across from the Sheraton Centre (123 Queen Street West) click here for a map. On November 14, Premier Kathleen Wynne and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be in closed-door meetings to hammer out schemes to privatize more and more of our public services. Privatization and public-private partnerships (P3s) are bad for all Ontarians. They cost more, deliver less, and give control of our public services and public assets to a wealthy few. When we privatize, we also eliminate decent jobs. The We Own It campaign will be hosting a “pop-up” public meeting to ensure our voices are heard. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here. To download the flyer, click here.

November 15
QUEBEC CITY: DEMONSTRATE FOR $15+
11:00 am to 2:00 pm | Assemblée nationale du Québec, 1045 rue des Parlementaires, Quebec City click here for a map. Supporters of the Fight for  $15 in Quebec are organizing a demonstration outside the Quebec’s National Assembly. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

TORONTO: FIGHT FOR $15 AND FAIRNESS CITY-WIDE ORGANIZING MEETING
5:30 to 8:00 pm | Suite 223, 720 Spadina Avenue click here for a map
Join us for this next city-wide meeting of the Fight for $15 and Fairness. At this meeting, we will make time for some sector-wide and community-based caucuses. Help us plan our December 3 Holiday Action. Snacks at 5:30 pm – Meeting begins at 6:00 pm and finishes at 8:00 pm. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

November 18
TORONTO: FAIRNESS MEANS DECENT HOUSING FOR ALL
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm | Queen’s Park, Ontario Legislative Assembly click here for a map
The Canadian government has promised to fix the affordable housing crisis with Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy. On November 22nd, they will announce what they have heard people across Canada say is needed in a National Housing Strategy. We are calling on the government to ensure our National Housing Strategy will guarantee everyone the right to safe, adequate, and affordable housing. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

November 20
$15 AND FAIRNESS AT TORONTO’S SANTA CLAUS PARADE
10:00 am to 12:00 noon | Christie Station click here for a map
Join us outside Christie station as we speak up and sing out for $15 and Fairness at the Santa Claus parade! We’ll be singing workers’ carols and handing out holiday treats! Come out and bring a friend! We’ll have petitions and leaflets ready to go, and together we’ll talk with passerbys about why we’re asking for $15 and Fairness this holiday season. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

November 29
TORONTO: FIGHT FOR $15 AND FAIRNESS CITY-WIDE ORGANIZING MEETING
5:30 to 8:00 pm | Suite 223, 720 Spadina Avenue click here for a map
Join us for this next city-wide meeting of the Fight for $15 and Fairness. At this meeting, we will make time for some sector-wide and community-based caucuses. Help us plan our December 3 Holiday Action. Snacks at 5:30 pm – Meeting begins at 6:00 pm and finishes at 8:00 pm. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

December 10
BRAMPTON – MISSISSAUGA: MAKE IT FAIR ASSEMBLY 
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Gore Meadows Community Centre, 10150 The Gore Road, Brampton click here for a map
As Ontario prepares for the recommendations of the Changing Workplaces Review, we need to keep the pressure on MPPs to deliver on their promises for decent work. Join us for this public assembly to discuss what we can do to mobilize in our communities and ensure that 2017 is the year we make it fair. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

A Word on the US Election
THE FIGHT FOR $15 SHOWS IT CAN TRUMP TRUMP
Despite the terrible results of the US election, it is important to note that measures to raise the minimum wage won in all four states where it was on the ballot (Washington, Colorado, Arizona and Maine). As a result some 2 million workers will be getting a wage increase. In two of these states, Washington and Arizona, the minimum wage ballot also included provisions for paid sick days that are similar to our own $15 and Fairness demands, with about one hour of paid sick days earned for every 30 or 40 hours worked. The victory in Arizona is especially important because, although Trump prevailed for President, the minimum wage/paid sick days ballot won 60% (in favour) to 40% (opposed). In fact, more people voted for the minimum wage increase than voted for Trump. Significantly, the minimum wage campaign was led by LUCHA – Living United for Change in Arizona with strong ties to the Latino community and other communities of colour. In South Dakota, another state where Trump received more votes than Clinton, voters defeated a proposal to introduce a lower minimum wage for workers under the age of 18. 

This is all the more reason for us to re-double our effort in Ontario and across Canada and Quebec to build a strong, multi-racial, multi-faith, working class movement for decent work as an antedote to those who seek to divide us with bigotry and intolerence. Union and non-union, documented and undocumented — we need each other more than ever. Let’s take a moment to re-affirm our solidarity across sectors and across borders. Together, we can — and will — win. 

It’s Fair Employment Week!
Right now, college and university faculty are campaigning to put decent work back on the agenda at post-secondary institutions across Canada and Quebec. Take a moment to pledge your support at WeTeachOntario.ca. To share on Facebook click here.

Too many faculty are working on short, partial-term contracts where they face job insecurity, unpredictable scheduling, unfair wages and inadequate access to basic benefits. Left unchecked, these conditions undermine the quality of teaching and compromise students’ educational experiences.

At universities, the number of contract faculty has doubled since 2000, and within our colleges, more than half of all teaching is now performed by contract faculty.

The Changing Workplaces Review gives us an opportunity to address many of these issues. That’s why OCUFA (the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations) supports the Fight for $15 and Fairness and why they are highlighting Fairness for Contract Faculty (#Fairness4CF) this week.

An overwhelming majority of Ontarians believe that universities should support strong communities by being model employers who play a leadership role in providing decent work for staff and faculty. You can help make this support visible by joining the social media campaign.

Use the hashtag #Fairness4CF and where possible, connect it with: #15andFairness,#MakeItFair, #CanLab, #CdnPSE and #OnPoli. Please also tag @OCUFA. Here are some sample tweets:

• It’s Fair Employment Week! Support for fairness for contract faculty, sign pledge: WeTeachOntario.ca #Fairness4CF #15andFairness #MakeItFair
• Fairness for contract faculty means job security & fair scheduling. Sign: WeTeachOntario.ca #Fairness4CF #15andFairness #CdnPSE #CanLab
• Fairness for contract faculty is an investment in high-quality PSE for students: WeTeachOntario.ca #Fairness4CF #CdnPSE #15andFairness
• 94% of Ontarians believe universities shld be model employers. Support fairness for contract faculty: WeTeachOntario.ca #Fairness4CF #CdnPSE
• Contract faculty deserve equal pay & equal access to benefits, so do all contract & part-time workers: WeTeachOntario.ca #Fairness4CF #CanLab

OCTOBER 27, Thursday

University of Windsor
10:00 am to 1:00 pm – Hosted by Fight for $15 Windsor-Essex
Join us at the University of Windsor CAW Students’ Centre – 401 Sunset Avenue to show support for contract faculty on campus and across the province. Let’s work together to ensure that all academic jobs are good jobs. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

NOVEMBER 2, Wednesday

Canadian Federation of Students Pan-Canadian Day of Action

TORONTO:
Join the Fight for $15 & Fairness contingent at the University of Toronto’s Convocation Hall at 1:00 pm. To RSVP and share on Facebookclick here.

ACROSS ONTARIO:
To find an event near you, visit the Canadian Federation of Students Day of Action page here. To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

OCTOBER 29, Saturday

Toronto Students’ Decent Work & Health Advocacy 101

12 Noon to 5:00 pm – hosted by the Decent Work and Health Network
This Toronto session is geared towards students in the health sector. We will explore the ways that employment and housing impact health, and how we can advocate for better outcomes. Register by emailing: [email protected]. To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

Faith and the Fight for $15 & Fairness

Faith Leaders across Ontario have come together to sign a statement supporting decent work. Help us spread this message far and wide. Please invite Faith Leaders in your community, or on your campus, to sign on.  Here’s a snippet from the statement:

“… In a wealthy country like Canada, no person should be living in poverty. Decent work must be a core aspect of Ontario’s anti-poverty agenda, along with other measures to ensure
that all of us live in dignity.”

Momentum

Quebec is with us in the Fight for $15 and Fairness 
On October 15, over 15 hundred people demonstrated in Quebec under the 5-10-15 banner which, similar to the Fight for $15 and Fairness, calls on the Quebec government to implement at least five (5) days notice for scheduling, at least ten (10) paid sick days and a $15 minimum wage for all workers. Read the CBC report here.

Two-thirds (63%) of us across Canada support a $15 Minimum Wage 
Notwithstanding the minority opposition expressed by the CIBC-funded academic Morley Gunderson, rich people with incomes over $100K and $250K, and other corporate lobbyists, a clear majroity Canadians support a $15 minimum wage: “The Forum Research poll … showed that 63 per cent of Canadian voters approve increasing the national wage to $15 an hour. … The minimum wage increase had more supporters than detractors in every region of the country. … In every age and income bracket … the idea has majority support.” To read the full report from Forum Research, click here.

Upcoming

NOVEMBER 15 and 29, Tuesday

Toronto Organizing Meeting

5:30 pm Snacks – 6:00 pm Meeting begins – 8:00 pm Meeting finishes
Join us for this city-wide organizing meeting and help us plan our next steps, including our holiday outreach! To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

DECEMBER 3, Saturday

SAVE THE DATE: Solidarity with Retail Workers – Holiday Action

Let’s raise our voices in song this holiday season to celebrate all the workers who make our holiday season festive! From farm workers to grocery store workers and from the shopping centres to the LCBO, we simply couldn’t eat, drink, or be merry, without the hard work of these amazing people. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

Leaders from a variety of faith communities have launched an online statement in support of the campaign for $15 and Fairness. The statement reads, in part:

“As religious and spiritual leaders, we have a history of pursuing fairness, justice, and compassion in our communities. We know that decent working conditions are essential to strong and prosperous communities, and are distressed that Ontario’s current labour laws do not protect workers from poverty… In a wealthy country like Canada, no person should be living in poverty. Decent work must be a core aspect of Ontario’s anti-poverty agenda, along with other measures to ensure that all of us live in dignity.”

We are confident that many more faith leaders will want to add their names to this statement and we are counting on you to circulate it among your own faith networks. Faith leaders may add their names online here or by signing a two-page printable version that can be mailed, or scanned and emailed, to our office. 

Our intention is to organize a media event toward the end of November to call attention to what we expect will be hundreds of Faith Leader signatories. But, we need your support to secure as many signatures as possible. Please act now to circulate the statement. 

Toronto, Interfaith Outdoor Prayer Vigil
Thursday, October 6: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Queen’s Park
Everyone in the Toronto area is invited to join the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC) in its annual prayer vigil where members of different faith traditions will be praying for forceful action to ensure fair wages and to reduce poverty. All are welcome and encouraged to participate. To RSVP and share on Facebook click here. For more information visit the ISARC website here.

Rabbis Join the Campaign for $15 and Fairness
On the eve of High Holidays, Rabbis published an important opinion piece in the Toronto Star. In it, they called for a $15 minimum wage and fairness for all workers. They emphasized the importance of emergency leave, of paid sick days and of fair scheduling. Click here to read and share the op-ed.

The October 1 rally drew thousands from across Ontario to Queen’s Park where we stood together calling for a $15 minimum wage and fairness for all workers. We heard from public and private sector workers, including those who work in retail, hospitality and food services, construction, libraries, security, colleges, universities and more. Together we sent a strong message to our Members of Provincial Parliament that Ontarians want meaningful changes to our employment and labour laws! Click here to see a great news clip of the rally captured by City News.

Feeder marches heading to Queen’s Park shut down the College St / University Ave intersection with live music and chants for $15 & Fairness.Click here for more pictures.

DECENT WORK WEEK – Let’s keep this momentum going!

October 7 is the World Day for Decent Work, and we’re organizing events throughout the week to mark the day in Ontario. Scroll down to find an action near you and encourage your community, workplace, union local or campus to join this fight for decent work.

OCTOBER 3, Monday

Ottawa, Harvesting Freedom Demonstration
12:00 p.m. (noon) – 1:30 p.m. at Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (300 Laurier Ave West)
Come out to the final stop of the Harvesting Freedom Caravan tour to call for fairness for migrant workers. Migrant workers need status upon arrival and better protection under the law. Increasing fairness and rights for migrant workers is essential to improving decent work for all, click here to download a brand new flyer – please share widely.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here. Visit harvestingfreedom.org for more information.

OCTOBER 5, Wednesday

Peterborough, Working Right(s) Forum on Employment Law

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Peterborough Public Health (185 King St)
What are our current rights as workers and what are the legislative changes we need to make work better for all of us? Come and learn about the gaps in Ontario’s outdated labour laws and become a part of the solution. To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

Toronto, Ontario Federation of Labour MPP Lobby

All day at Queen’s Park
Workers will meet more than 60 MPPs from all three provincial parties to talk about the comprehensive changes we need to Ontario’s labour laws and employment standards. If you can join the lobby, please RSVP to Lucas Costello [email protected] as soon as possible. Only those registered in advance will be able to attend.

Toronto, Precarious Work and Health Forum

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Centre for Urban Health Solutions (209 Victoria St, Room 136)
Every day, health care workers see the impact of bad jobs on their patients. Sadly, even health providers are affected by bad working conditions. Join this public forum to discuss how health organizations can improve working conditions in their sector and beyond.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here. For more information and speaker bios click here.

OCTOBER 6, Thursday

Online, Free Webinar on the Fight for Decent Work

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. hosted by the Tamarack Institute
Participate in this free webinar to learn more about the Ministry of Labour’s Changing Workplace Review and how you can get involved in this movement to update Ontario’s labour laws. You need to register to attend this event, please click here to do so.
For more information click here.

Sudbury, “Voices of the Working North” – Video Release Party

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Cambrian Open Studio (93 Cedar St)
Don’t miss the special release of the Voices of the Working North video which documents the struggles Greater Sudbury Workers face on a daily basis. The launch will be followed by guest speakers and the showcase of the Migrant Dreams documentary trailer.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

Ottawa, A Day’s Work Documentary Screening

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at University of Ottawa Alumni Auditorium (85 University Private)
Come out to the screening of the award-winning documentary A Day’s Work that exposes the temp agency industry. The film producer Dave DeSario will be joining for a discussion after the screening.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

Mississauga, Airport Worker Action

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Pearson International Airport (Outside terminal 1)
Join this solidarity action for workers facing threats and retaliation at Washington’s DCA airport and call for $15 and Fairness for all airport workers. Rides are available from Kipling Subway Station.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

Toronto, Interfaith Outdoor Prayer Vigil

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Queen’s Park
Attend the annual prayer vigil where members of different faith traditions will be joined in prayer to call for forceful action to ensure fair wages and reduce poverty. Please encourage others from your faith community to also attend this prayerful gathering.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here. For more information click here.

OCTOBER 7, Friday

World Day for Decent Work MPP Visits

All day at MPP constituency offices throughout Ontario
Supporters of the Fight for $15 & Fairness campaign will be organizing visits to their local Members of Provincial Parliament. With the government’s ongoing review of our labour laws, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to raise the employment standards floor for everyone.

Sudbury, Community BBQ and Art Project

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Park
Join this family-friendly event to celebrate the decent work week with your friends, co-workers and neighbours. There will be a BBQ, a fun booth and swag. There will also be a community art piece where you can leave your mark. You’ll also have the opportunity to write a postcard to your MPP to tell them why we need a $15 minimum wage, seven paid sick days, equal pay, union rights and more.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

Throughout Ontario, workers are organizing in their communities to bring the $15 & Fairness message directly to Queen’s Park on October 1st. Scroll down for more information about the October 1st rally and how to get there.

Latest bus information
Labour councils, community groups and allies are sponsoring buses to bring people from across Ontario to Queen’s Park for October 1st Rally. There will be buses leaving from more than 20 cities.  If you want a seat on the bus, please call or email ASAP the specific people listed to reserve your seats. 

Join us for a pre-rally assembly
If your bus comes into Toronto before 1:00 pm and if you are not already marching with a contingent, please join the Fight for $15 & Fairness Toronto network’s pre-rally assembly. They will be meeting at the Northwest corner of College Street & University Avenue at 12:00 pm (noon) and march to the Queen’s Park rally. For event details, click here.

Help us spread the word
By coming together on October 1 in our thousands, we can help make sure our elected officials have the confidence to stand up to big business and put people before profits. Invite your friends, coworkers, community group, and union members to the event. You can access print-ready and customizable leaflets as well as posters here. Are you on Facebook or Twitter? Please take a moment now to share our latest Facebook photo and check out #15andFairness and #MakeitFair tweets.

See you on October 1st!

October 7 is the World Day for Decent Work and gets celebrated in communities around the globe. Here in Ontario the Fight for $15 & Fairness campaign and allies will mark the day by organizing a week of action that will be kicked off with a mass-rally at Queen’s Park on October 1^st. With the Ontario Government reviewing all our labour laws, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen working conditions for everyone. This includes legislating fair schedules with sufficient hours, at least 7 paid sick days, ensuring the right to organize, enforcing respect at work and rules that protect everyone and raising the minimum wage to $15. Scroll down to find an action near you and encourage your community, workplace, local and campus to join this fight for decent work.

October 1, Saturday
Toronto, Rally for Decent Work
12:00 p.m. (noon) – 2:30 p.m. at Queen’s Park
Join workers coming from across Ontario at Queen’s Park as we call on the government to implement meaningful changes to the laws that govern work, including fair scheduling, paid sick days, equal pay, respect and work and rules that protect everyone.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

October 3, Monday
Ottawa, Harvesting Freedom Demonstration
12:00 p.m. (noon) – 1:30 p.m. at Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (300 Laurier Ave West)
Come out to the final stop of the Harvesting Freedom Caravan tour to call for fairness for migrant workers. Migrant workers need status upon arrival and better protection under the law. Increasing fairness and rights for migrant workers is essential to improving decent work for all. Click here to download a brand new flyer by Fight for $15 and Fairness and the Migrant Workers Alliance.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here. Visit harvestingfreedom.org for more information.

October 5, Wednesday
Toronto, Precarious Work and Health Forum
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Centre for Urban Health Solutions (209 Victoria St, Room 136)
Every day, health care workers see the impact of bad jobs on their patients. Sadly, even health providers are affected by bad working conditions. Join this public forum to discuss how health organizations can improve working conditions in their sector and beyond.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here. For more information and speaker bios click here.

Peterborough, Working Right(s) Forum on Employment Law
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Peterborough Public Health (185 King St)
What are our current rights as workers and what are the legislative changes we need to make work better for all of us? Come and learn about the gaps in Ontario’s outdated labour laws and become a part of the solution.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

Toronto, Ontario Federation of Labour MPP Lobby
All day at Queen’s Park
Workers will meet more than 60 MPPs from all three provincial parties to talk about the comprehensive changes we need to Ontario’s labour laws and employment standards. You need to register to attend this event so please contact Lucas Costello [email protected] to secure your spot and learn more.

October 6, Thursday
Toronto, Interfaith Outdoor Prayer Vigil
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Queen’s Park
Attend the annual prayer vigil where members of different faith traditions will be joined in prayer to call for forceful action to ensure fair wages and reduce poverty. Please encourage others from your faith community to also attend this prayerful gathering.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here. For more information click here.

Mississauga, Airport Worker Action
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Pearson International Airport (Outside terminal 1)
Join this solidarity action for workers facing threats and retaliation at Washington’s DCA airport and call for $15 and Fairness for all airport workers. Rides are available from Kipling Subway Station.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

Online, Free Webinar on the Fight for Decent Work
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. hosted by the Tamarack Institute
Participate in this free webinar to learn more about the Ministry of Labour’s Changing Workplace Review and how you can get involved in this movement to update Ontario’s labour laws. You need to register to attend this event: http://events.tamarackcommunity.ca/the_fight_for_decent_work
For more information click here.

Ottawa, A Day’s Work Documentary Screening
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at University of Ottawa Alumni Auditorium (85 University Private)
Come out to the screening of the award-winning documentary A Day’s Work that exposes the temp agency industry. The film producer Dave DeSario will be joining for a discussion after the screening.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

Sudbury, “Voices of the Working North” – Video Release Party
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Cambrian Open Studio (93 Cedar St)
Don’t miss the special release of the Voices of the Working North video which documents the struggles Greater Sudbury Workers face on a daily basis. The launch will be followed by guest speakers and the showcase of the Migrant Dreams documentary trailer.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

October 7, Friday
World Day for Decent Work MPP Visits
All day at MPP constituency offices throughout Ontario
Supporters of the Fight for $15 & Fairness campaign will be organizing visits to their local Members of Provincial Parliament. With the government’s ongoing review of our labour laws, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to raise the employment standards floor for everyone.

Sudbury, Community BBQ and Art Project
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Park
Join this family-friendly event to celebrate the decent work week with your friends, co-workers and neighbours. There will be a BBQ, a fun booth and swag. There will also be a community art piece where you can leave your mark. You’ll also have the opportunity to write a postcard to your MPP to tell them why we need a $15 minimum wage, seven paid sick days, equal pay, union rights and more.
To RSVP and share on Facebook click here.

The Fight for $15 and Fairness has had a fantastic summer of organizing and mobilizing in communities across Ontario, from Windsor to Thunder Bay! We organized in our workplaces, communities and campuses, drawing hundreds of people to forums, outreach blitzes and skills-sharing events. Labour Day celebrations across Ontario provided a critical platform to raise the issue of decent work and wages for all of us.

And we are starting to win
Mississauga Library workers (members of CUPE 1989) won a $15 minimum wage for their lowest paid members, but only after 18 days on the picket line. This milestone is a crucial down-payment on a $15 minimum wage for all workers. And it shows how hard we are going to have to fight to make decent wages and working conditions a reality for all workers.

The Changing Workplaces Review Interim Report (released July 27) summarizes the issues raised during the formal consultation process last year. And it is clear that our movement’s vision has been heard. But so too have the views of employers. That’s why we need to mobilize in every corner of the province to ensure that our demands come forward as final recommendations (expected in early 2017).

But the fight has only just begun
The big business lobby is getting organized. Already it has launched a well-financed campaign to oppose any changes that would benefit workers. It’s not accidental that big business — the companies most likely to offer low-wage work — say that any improvements in our working conditions will ruin the economy. It’s simply not true — but it sounds scary. We need to redouble our efforts to dispel this myth by talking about the fight for $15 and fairness with our friends, neighbours and co-workers.

Mobilizing for October 1 to 7 is crucial
Big business may have the money, but we are the majority. That’s why the October 1 Rally for Decent Work — and the whole Decent Work Week from October 1 to 7 — is so important for our movement. We need to show our elected representatives that we expect change.

We need YOU! 
Whether you are a worker, retiree or student experiencing precarious employment; whether you are a parent, grandparent, cousin or sibling; whether you work part-time or full-time, or are in a temporary or casual contract; or whether you are in a union or not — we need you!

The Ontario Legislative Assembly will resume on Monday, so now is the time to take the Fight for $15 & Fairness to the next level:

What can you do right now?

• Pledge to attend the October 1 rally at Queen’s Park.
• Plug in to organizing networks in your community (please scroll down for more details on upcoming activities) and help your neighbours and co-workers spread the word.
• Collect signatures on this petition and deliver them to your local Member of Provincial Parliament.
• Download these campaign materials and distribute them in your community, workplace, campus or place of worship.
• Follow the campaign on social media: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, invite your friends and organizations to endorse the campaign.
• Donate money to the campaign. We hate to ask for this, but the demand for campaign materials and staff resources are far outpacing our revenue. Please make a donation today. No amount of money is too small (or too large)! We make excellent use of every penny we receive. NB: contributions to the Fight for $15 & Fairness are managed by the Workers’ Action Centre, and are used strictly to develop and produce Fight for $15 & Fairness campaign resources, hold special campaign events and/or maintain FF15&F communications infrastructure. All online donations go to the Fight for $15 & Fairness.

TODAY! September 10
London

10:00 am to 9:30 pm | Western Fair
(Click here for a map)
Join workers, community members and students for this outreach event at the Western Fair. Volunteers are scheduled and needed all day. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

East Toronto

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Corner of Carlton St. & Sumach St.
(Click here for a map)
Come out to this petitioning and leafleting blitz. After meeting up at the corner of Carlton and Sumach, the crew will head over to the Cabbagetown Festival.
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

September – October: Support Migrant Workers

Justice for Migrant Workers and the Harvesting Freedom Campaign will be embarking on a historic, month-long caravan that began in Leamington, Ontario on September 4, 2016 and will travel to its final stop in Ottawa on October 2. To learn when they are coming to your city and spread the word, check out the Facebook event page by clicking here. Click here to join the Migrant Worker contingent for October 1.

September 12 – Toronto (Latina organizers)

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | 720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 223
(Workers’ Action Centre office. Click here for a map)
Join Coalicion Abya Yala and the Spanish-speaking organizers of Fight for $15 & Fairness to plan and strategize for the October 1 rally.
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

September 13 – York University

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Student Centre Room 430
(Click here for a map)
Student and community members are welcome! Come out and help plan the upcoming day of action on October 1 and an on-campus workshop on September 28.
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

September 13 – Ottawa

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm | 377 Bank Street
(CUPW STTP National Office Click here for a map)
Join Ottawa organizers to lay the groundwork for local actions in October.
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

September 17 – Oshawa

12:00 Noon to 4:00 pm | 115 Albert St.
(Steelworkers Hall parking lot Click here for a map)
Join the literature drop to promote the Fairness Forum happening on September 21! We will be targeting homes where one or more people have signed the petition for the Fight for $15 and Fairness campaign.
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

September 17 – West Toronto

12:00 noon to 1:00 pm | Corner of Dundas St. & Bloor St
(Near Dundas West Station Click here for a map)
The summer canvasses at Dufferin station and in Parkdale were a huge success (over 950 signatures on our petition!), so we’re doing it again. And, this time we’re taking the campaign to Dundas West station! Come out and bring a friend:) We’ll have petitions and leaflets ready to go, and together we’ll talk with passerbys about the fight for decent work for all.
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

September 20 – Toronto

5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | 720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 223
(Workers’ Action Centre office. Click here for a map)
Join students, community and labour activists for the next Toronto-wide Fight for #15andFairness organizing meeting! We’ll be in the home stretch of organizing for the big October 1 demonstration in the Fight for $15 and Fairness!
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here

September 21 – Health Providers

5:30 pm to 8:00 pm | 155 College St. 6th Floor Auditorium
(Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Click here for a map)
Titled ‘Health and Social Justice: Pathways to Advocacy on the Social Determinants of Health’, the event will showcase four speakers, each representing a different health advocacy campaign and issue. They will speak about their own personal journey to becoming health advocates, what each campaign is advocating for, how to get involved and much more!
Register for the event here | Spread the word on Facebook by clicking here

September 21 – Oshawa

6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | 81 Gladstone Ave.
(Valleyview Community Centre Click here for a map)
“We are Oshawa” is a labour-community network that is building momentum for the Fight for $15 and Fairness. Join the Fairness forum to discuss the strategies we’re using to improve working conditions and lift all workers in Ontario out of poverty.
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

September 22 – Toronto Rising for Fairness

6:00 pm  | 427 Bloor Street West.
(Trinity St. Paul’s United Church Click here for a map)
Show your solidarity with hospitality and food service workers — members of UNITE HERE Local 75 — who are standing up for fairness and decent wages in Toronto. We will need a powerful labour-community movement to force these multi-national developers, hotels, fast food and restaurant chains to make it fair.

OCTOBER 1 – QUEEN’S PARK!

OCTOBER 2nd to 7th Decent Work Week

Stay tuned for more details!

Did you know that if you are working at a company with fewer than 50 workers you can be fired for taking an unpaid day off because of an illness or family emergency?  

Personal Emergency Leave (PEL) allows workers to take up to 10 days of unpaid leave per year to deal with personal illness, an emergency or an illness and/or urgent matter concerning a family member. In the absence of paid sick days in our laws, PEL is a basic right that many workers rely on, but unfortunately only in dire circumstances because it means losing pay. However, 1.7 million Ontario workers cannot even access this unpaid leave because the current law exempts workers in small workplaces.

 
Not having access to PEL has huge costs to our communities and our health. This is why emergency room physician Dr. Kate Hayman is speaking out. Every day she sees patients who end up in the ER with life-threatening conditions because they weren’t able to take a day off when they needed to.

Last month, the interim report of the Ontario government’s Changing Workplaces Review was published. Because of ongoing employer pressure on the issue of Personal Emergency Leave, the government is moving to make changes to PEL first.

How the Ministry of Labour responds will be a first test. Will the Ontario government stand up for 1.7 million workers, many of whom are workers in precarious jobs, who urgently need access to PEL? Or will they bow to employer pressure and keep the current exemptions and further restrict the flexibility of job-protected personal emergency leave?

We know that businesses are wanting to reduce the benefits of this emergency leave by creating new restrictions on how these days can be used. The reality is emergencies can happen in many ways. Who can predict in a year what type of emergency days we are going to need for illness, injuries, aging parents or sick children?

As the Fight for $15 & Fairness campaign, we are calling on the government to make the Personal Emergency Leave accessible to all! Share the video and help us get this message out. Then join us on October 1st at the Queen’s Park Rally to let the Ontario government know that we are standing up for decent work.

Watch the video now. Click here to share it on Facebook and here to share it on Twitter.