When employers face no consequences for breaking the law, they simply keep violating workers’ rights. This is why the enforcement of our rights is so critical, and we need YOU to take urgent action to ensure access to justice for all: click here to email Premier Ford to call for legal aid cuts to be reversed.

After taking away our rights at work, Premier Ford is now trying to limit our ability to take legal action against bad bosses. His government’s recently announced 30% cut to legal aid and cancellation of funding for immigration and refugee law services is an assault on the poorest members of our communities. Here’s what these cuts could mean for workers in Ontario:

• Low-wage workers who experience thousands of dollars in wage theft won’t be able to get support from local community legal clinics to file claims with the Ministry of Labour;
• A migrant care worker who bravely left her abusive employer won’t be able to access legal aid to secure her immigration status long enough to press charges against her employer;
• A refugee who faces death or torture if deported would not be able to access legal aid to appeal their case, or get information in their first language about their legal rights.

Decisions on how legal aid cuts are going to be implemented will be made this week. Help us send a strong message right now to defend the community legal clinics we rely on.

Click here to send a letter to stop these cuts from coming into effect.

The reality is workers, tenants, immigrants, refugees, and people with low-incomes turn to legal clinics when their rights are violated. But Ford’s cuts will put these very legal clinics at risk and the people who are already marginalized will be hit the hardest.

Please send your message now to stop legal aid cuts and ensure no legal clinic in Ontario has to close its doors. With the click of a button, you can send our pre-drafted email to Premier Doug Ford, Attorney General Caroline Mulroney, and have all the Legal Aid Ontario Board of Directors copied.

Friend, thank you for speaking out! After sending your email, please help us spread the word by sharing this email with your friends.

Between the Ford government’s relentless attacks on public services, global rise in hate crimes and environmental catastrophes, it can become easy to forget the strength of our collective power. But, that would be a mistake.

From the right to vote, to access to universal health care to a $14 minimum wage, the hard-fought gains we benefit from today are all thanks to people who organized against the odds. In fact, many exciting organizing initiatives are happening right now that we want you to know about:

• Bike and food couriers organize for $15 & Fairness
  Learn more, visit: www.foodstersunited.ca -- This morning couriers working for Foodora, the international app-giant for food delivery, announced they will fight to unionize and win $15 & Fairness. Because Foodora misclassifies them as “independent contractors”, these workers currently don’t have access to even the most basic labour protections such as sick days or employment insurance. If these workers are successful, it will be a breakthrough in organizing for workers in the “gig economy” and a huge step forward in the fight for decent work. Let’s do everything we can to make sure they win. Email Foodora right now at [email protected] to speak out for these workers (and don't forget to cc campaign organizers at [email protected]). 

 Spread the word on Facebook (click here) to show couriers some love!
Follow the Justice for Couriers Campaign: on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

• #UniteAgainstRacism so no worker is left behind
  Learn more, visit: https://migrantrights.ca/may1 -- Governments are the ones who are responsible for cutting public services and legislating poverty-level wages to please corporate lobbyists, NOT migrants or refugees. Join us in rejecting the divide between migrant, immigrant, undocumented people and citizens, and assert that we are all workers. Together, we must insist that no worker be left behind. Today, find a local event for International Workers Day, and show up with this placard. Then take a photo of yourself with it & share on social media with #UniteAgainstRacism.
  
  
• Legal Aid Ontario lawyers organize to stop the cuts
  Visit www.stoplegalaidcuts.ca/ to email your MPP now -- The Ford government’s $30 million cut to legal aid is an assault on the poorest members of our communities. The hardest hit will be Ontario’s most vulnerable people, including women fleeing domestic violence, refugees fleeing life-threatening persecution, and innocent people facing prison because they can’t afford a lawyer. Access to justice should be a right for ALL!

Today, on International Workers’ Day, we want you, to double-down on your commitment to help build workers’ collective power. Scroll below to find an action near you!

May 1
TORONTO, We Love Workers at UofT! #MayDay
Wednesday, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM - Sidney Smith Hall, University of Toronto
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

MISSISSAUGA, TAWC - 2019 YYZ May Day Street Festival
Wednesday, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM - Pearson Airport, Terminal 1 Departures 
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

HAMILTON, International Workers' Day March
Wednesday, 3:30 PM - 9:00 PM - Gore Park
Click here to share on Facebook

BRACEBRIDGE, No Workers Left Behind Rally
Wednesday, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM - MPP Norm Millers Bracebridge Office (165 Manitoba St)
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

TORONTO, Toronto May 1 International Workers' Day Rally
Wednesday, 5:00 PM - Nathan Philips Square
Click here to share on Facebook

NORTH BAY, $15 And Fairness Strategy Meeting
Wednesday, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM - UNIFOR 103 Office (107 Sherriff Ave, Suite 102B)
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

OTTAWA, Workers Cabaret: Resistance Is Beautiful
Wednesday, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Arts Court
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

May 2
SCARBOROUGH, Scarborough Decent Work Outreach
Thursday, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM - McDonalds by Kingston Rd and Lawrence Ave
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

May 4
ETOBICOKE, Etobicoke-Lakeshore $15 and Fairness Outreach
Saturday, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM - The Sydney Grind (2883 Lakeshore Blvd W)
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

May 5
MISSISSAUGA, Malton Nagar Kirtan Parade Outreach
Sunday, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Sri Guru Singh Sabha (7280 Airport Rd)
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

May 7
TORONTO, Toronto-Wide Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - 720 Spadina Ave Unit223
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

May 8
TORONTO, Tea and Data-Entry Party
Wednesday, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM - 720 Spadina Ave Unit 223
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

May 11
TORONTO, West Toronto outreach at Spring Into Parkdale
Saturday, 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM - Roncesvalles Ave and Queen St W
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

May 13
KINGSTON, Kingston Organizing Meeting
Monday, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM - Coffee Way Donuts
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

Premier Doug Ford made his priorities crystal clear last week by releasing his very first provincial budget. Suffice to say, working people or our families are NOT of concern to the Premier.

SPEAK UP NOW!
Click here to find an action near you.

From education to environment, health care to social services, cuts to public services are coming. We know cuts will be devastating both for the quality of the services our communities rely on, and the working conditions of the people who deliver them. The budget hits people on social assistance, Indigenous peoples, migrants and refugees the hardest, with these specific cuts alone adding up to billions.

Forcing our communities into deeper poverty to boost corporate profits is inexcusable. Ford's budget prioritizes $3.8 billion in savings for corporations. Meanwhile, $11 million in funding is cut from the Ministry of Labour further weakening the enforcement of our rights on the job. It was bad enough that the Ministry was ordered to stop using proactive inspections back in September, but now they will start relying on employer self-regulation. Bad bosses will no doubt see this as an open invitation to continue violating workers' rights. 

Over and over again, Doug Ford is proving that he is for corporations, not the people. Earlier in April his government's own Financial Accountability Office confirmed what we had said all along. Had the $15 minimum wage kicked in on January 1st 2019 as scheduled, 1.3 million Ontarians each would have received a $810 boost (after-tax). But, under Ford’s so called low-income tax credit, 62% of minimum wage earners get nothing while those who are eligible get only about a $400 tax-credit

With wages frozen, rights under attack and services being cut, people are outraged in all corners of the province. Now is the time to take action!

• Ontario Federation of Labour is organizing a provincial Day of Action tomorrow (Wednesday, April 17) to protest Doug Ford's budget: click here to find events in Toronto, click here to find events across Ontario.
• Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC) has committed to holding local town halls to amplify the voices of Ontarians who are living on the margins, the first is scheduled to take place in Kingston on April 23rd (see details below, or click here to learn more about this initiative).

Please take a look at upcoming events and join one near you. We cannot ever forget that WE are the majority, and united we will win decent work for ALL.

Wednesday, April 17th
ONTARIO-WIDE: Power of Many Day of Action
Wednesday, All day | Across Ontario
Ford's 2019 budget means more cuts to programs and public services that working people depend on. Join the Ontario Federation of Labour to help spread the word about what is at stake in this budget and how we can all take action. Actions are happening in Toronto, Peel, Guelph, London, Waterloo, North Bay, Ottawa, Kingston, Durham, Chatham, Stratford, Sault Ste. Marie, Cornwall, and Thunder Bay. Click here to find events in Toronto, click here to find events across Ontario.

BRAMPTON, Brampton Outreach
Wednesday, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Brampton Downtown Terminal
Click here to RSVP or share on Facebook

BRACEBRIDGE, Decent Work Coffee Meet up
Wednesday, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Oliver's Coffee Corporation
Click here to RSVP or share on Facebook

Monday, April 22nd
KINGSTON, Decent Work Discussions: How Tenants Fight Back!
Monday, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | The Grad Club
Click here to RSVP or share on Facebook

Tuesday, April 23rd
KINGSTON, Voices from the Margins Town Hall
Tuesday, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM |St. Vincent de Paul, 85 Stephen St
Many people in Ontario are hurt by the rollback of our scheduled $15 minimum wage, cuts to services, and inadequate social assistance programs. Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition is organizing a series of town halls to collect and amplify these stories. If you are interested in sharing your experiences, please consider attending the event. Email [email protected] to RSVP.

TORONTO, Toronto-wide Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | 720 Spadina Ave Unit 223
Click here to RSVP or share on Facebook

Thursday, April 25th
SCARBOROUGH, Know Your Rights: Employment Standards Workshop
Thursday, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM | ACCES Employment
Click here to RSVP

Saturday, April 27th
TORONTO, West Toronto Canvass at Dufferin Station
Saturday, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Dufferin TTC Station
Click here to RSVP or 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 or share on Facebook

SAULT STE MARIE, Decent Work Coffee Meetup
Sunday, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Shabby Motley Handcraft
To RSVP and share on Facebook

Tuesday, April 30th
TORONTO, Rally to Protect Public Healthcare
Tuesday, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Queens Park
To RSVP and share on Facebook

Wednesday, May 1st
ONTARIO-WIDE, #UniteAgainsRacism - No Worker Left Behind!
Politicians want us to blame migrants and refugees instead of realizing that it’s the super rich who are responsible for low wages and underfunded services. We will not be fooled! On May 1st, find a local event for International Workers Day, and show up with this placard. Then take a photo of yourself with it and share it on social media with #UniteAgainstRacism. Learn more, visit: https://migrantrights.ca/may1

MISSISSAUGA, Toronto Airport May Day Street Festival
Wednesday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Toronto Pearson International Airport
Click here to RSVP or share on Facebook

OTTAWA, Workers Cabaret: Resistance Is Beautiful
Wednesday, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Arts Court
Click here to RSVP or to share on Facebook

Sunday, May 5th
MISSISSAUGA, Malton Nagar Kirtan Parade Outreach
Sunday, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Sri Guru Singh Sabha
Click here to RSVP

Saturday, May 11th
TORONTO,  West Toronto Outreach at Spring into Parkdale
Saturday, 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM | Roncesvalles and Queen Intersection
Click here to RSVP or share on Facebook

Premier Doug Ford has zero mandate to make the people of Ontario work more while getting paid less. But that is exactly what his government will do to save costs for corporate executives at the expense of workers, our health and the environment.

All signs indicate that the Ford government will use its majority inside Queen's Park to pass the dangerous Bill 66 next week. This legislation will:

   - Remove protections against excessive hours of work & unpaid overtime [1]
   - Make it harder for workers to learn about their rights on the job [2]
   - End collective bargaining agreements for many construction workers in the public sector [3]
   - Put children's lives at risk and jeopardize early childhood educator jobs [4]
   - Lead to more pollution in Ontario by cancelling protections against toxic chemicals in our workplaces [5] and much more.

The reality is NO ONE signed up for such drastic changes that put communities at risk. This is why the only place Ford government enjoys a majority is inside the legislature. On the streets, in our workplaces and campuses, we have the power of many.

New community organizing tool: Download the petition

Over two-thirds of Ontarians support a $15 minimum wage now. Nearly 80% support paid sick days, including 64% of Conservative voters. Clearly, the vast majority of people in Ontario support our agenda for decent work and wages. We need your help to organize this sentiment!

Click here to download our new petition.

You can use the new $15 & Fairness petition to invite friends, neighbours and co-workers to join this growing decent work movement. Once completed with signatures and contact info, take a photo of the petition and send it to us at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can also ask your friends to sign the online petition (click here) by forwarding this email to them.

Join an event, get involved in your community:

From Ottawa to Brampton, Hamilton to Sault Ste Marie, local events are bringing $15 & Fairness supporters together to defend our rights against bad bosses, and hold this government to account. Check out the event listing below, and join us to learn more about how you can get involved. For the latest listing of events, visit: www.15andfairness.org/events

March 30
GUELPH, Activists' Workshop to learn skills for community organizing
Saturday, 10:00 AM to 2:45 PM - St. Andrews Church, 161 Norfolk St
Click here to sign up & share on Facebook

April 1
OTTAWA, Ottawa Organizing Meeting
Monday, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - 251 Bank St, 2nd Floor
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

HAMILTON, Door Knocking in Hamilton
Monday, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - 60 Ventura Drive
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

April 2
KINGSTON, Kingston Power of Many: Regional Activation Meeting
Tuesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - OPSEU Hall, 824 John Counter Blvd
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

OTTAWA, Ottawa Power of Many: Regional Activation Meeting
Tuesday, 6:00PM - 8:30 PM - Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave W
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

April 3
SAULT STE. MARIE, Sault Ste. Marie Power of Many: Regional Activation Meeting
Wednesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - OPSEU Regional Office, 154 Great Northern Rd
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

April 6
TORONTO, $15 and Fairness joins the Rally for Education
Saturday, 11:30 AM - 2:0 PM - Northwest corner of University and College
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

April 9
TORONTO, Toronto Wide Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - 720 Spadina Ave Unit 223
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

April 13
ETOBICOKE, Etobicoke-Lakeshore $15 and Fairness Outreach
Saturday, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM - The Sydney Grind, 2883 Lakeshore Blvd W
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

TORONTO, A Green New Deal for All
Saturday, 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM - Steelworkers Toronto Area Council, 25 Cecil St
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

April 17
BRAMPTON, Brampton Outreach
Wednesday, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM - Brampton Downtown Terminal, 8 Nelson St W
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

April 23
TORONTO, Toronto Wide Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - 720 Spadina Ave Unit 223
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

April 28
BRAMPTON, Brampton Organizing Meeting
Sunday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Knightsbridge Senior Citizens Centre, 1A Knightsbridge Rd
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

May 1
TORONTO, Toronto Airport May Day Street Festival
Wednesday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Terminal 1, Pearson Airport
Click here to RSVP and to share on Facebook

Sources on Bill 66:
[1] Toronto Star op-ed by labour lawyer Josh Mandryk
[2] CityNews clip 
[3] Carpenters' District Council of Ontario statement on Bill 66
[4] Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care deputation on Bill 66
[5] Huffington Post article

We woke up to immense grief today.

49 Muslims were murdered in a mosque in New Zealand during prayer, and the death toll is rising. Before his murderous rampage, the shooter published an anti-immigrant manifesto. He praised US president Donald Trump as 'a symbol of renewed white identity' and wrote the name of the Quebec City mosque gunman on an assault-rifle, posting the image on social media. 

We know that Canada is not immune.

Police reported hate crimes went up 47% in 2017 [1]. At least 300 known white supremacist organizations are currently active across the country [2]. Over 70% of the migrants in Canada are denied full access to basic labour or social rights because of unfair temporary permits [3]. Women of colour continue to earn far less than white men [4]. Black and Indigenous communities are unfairly targeted by police and imprisonment [5,6]. Meanwhile, anti-immigrant populist messaging by federal political parties increased dramatically during the recent by-elections [7,8].

But, we refuse to be divided.

That’s why, from Halifax to Vancouver, communities across Canada are coming together to #UniteAgainstRacism. Actions are taking place between March 17th and 24th. 

Will you join us in taking action at this critical time? Go to http://migrantrights.ca/en/march21/ to find the event closest to you (or scroll below to see Ontario actions). 

The reality is, many in our communities are struggling. Too many of us are facing job losses, low wages, and cuts to services. 

Meanwhile the Ford government is forcing an austerity agenda upon us, as corporate profits go untaxed, and bad bosses get rewarded with lax labour laws and reduced fines when they break the law.

Let there be no doubt, in our communities, we are united in our desire for decent work. We are united in our concern for our children's future, the rising cost of living, and retirement.

But those at the top want to divide us. They want us fighting for scraps, and blaming migrants, people of colour, and others so we are too distracted to demand the fundamental changes our communities need. 

Spread the word: Share on Facebook -- Share on Twitter

Those of us fighting for $15 and fairness believe that uniting against racism right now is the only way forward. This is why we will be mobilizing together with the Migrant Rights Network to counter racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric. Join us! Find an action near you at http://migrantrights.ca/en/march21/. You can participate even if you can’t attend. On March 21, 2019 post a selfie on social media with #UniteAgainstRacism, and tell your friends why you will be opposing all forms of xenophobia this year.

*** More actions are being announced, please click here for the latest listing of #UniteAgainstRacism events ***

Sunday, March 17

HAMILTON
11am, United Steelworker Centre
RSVP | Facebook

NIAGARA
2pm, 1665 Four Mile Creek Rd
RSVP | Facebook

Wednesday, March 20

PETERBOROUGH
6pm, Confederation Park
RSVP | Facebook

Thursday, March 21

TORONTO
5:30pm, Nathan Phillips Square
RSVP | Facebook

Sunday, March 24

OTTAWA
2pm, 166 Frank Street
RSVP

---------------------------------

Source [1] Globe and Mail
Source [2] Toronto Star
Source [3] Government of Canada, Immigration Data
Source [4] Maclean's 
Source [5] Globe and Mail
Source [6] The Conversation
Source [7] Burnaby Now
Source [8] Toronto Star

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

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
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

March 12
TORONTO, Toronto Wide Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | 720 Spadina Avenue
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

March 13
BRAMPTON, Rally: Brampton Workers Say No to Bill 66
Wednesday, 5:00 PM -  6:00 PM | Main Street/ Bovaird Drive Intersection 
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

March 19
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

March 21
TORONTO, Toronto Rally: #UniteAgainstRacism
Thursday, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Nathan Philips Square 
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

March 25
TORONTO, Power of Many: Take Back Ontario Conference
Monday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM | Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

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

Following wide-spread reaction from environmental and community groups across Ontario, the provincial government announced last month that it would no longer proceed with Section 10 of Bill 66, which would have opened the door to the destruction of the Greenbelt.

Through protests, op-eds in local newspapers, calls and visits to Members of Provincial Parliament, the People of Ontario showed the Ford government that attacks on environmental protection will not be tolerated. We need your help to build on this momentum to get Bill 66 withdrawn in its entirety. Click here to take a quick action on Bill 66.

Workers' rights are under attack

Unfortunately Bill 66 still contains components that would harm our communities. For example, Bill 66 proposes to repeal the Toxics Reduction Act 2009 (TRA), a law that requires certain industrial facilities to consider ways to reduce the use and emissions of toxic chemicals in their operations. Repealing this act will impact workers' ability to learn about hazardous chemicals in the workplace and -- by extension -- in our communities. 

Bill 66 would also make it harder for workers to refuse excessive hours of work or receive overtime pay. Moreover, if adopted, this dangerous law would reduce workers’ access to stable pension plans; reduce child care spaces, weaken the rules that ensure child care workers are present in adequate numbers to care for our children and be properly trained; make it harder for trades and labourers in the public sector to get the protection of a union agreement; and more. 

At the same time, the government is also weakening the enforcement of existing law. After reducing fines for law breaking employers with Bill 47 last fall, Ford government has now stopped conducting proactive inspections through the Ministry of Labour. Without enforcement, our rights are merely words on paper. Click here to email Premier Ford right now.

Keep fighting for $15 & Fairness

Despite these attacks on our rights, the most recent Ontario job numbers prove what we have been saying all along. Decent work is not only good for our communities but also makes for a stronger economy. After all, when workers have money in their pockets, they spend it.

Contrary to the doomsday predictions of corporate lobbyists, Ontario's economy added nearly 80,000 jobs last year, mostly due to an increase in full-time work! (Click here to read the RankandFile.ca article that breaks down these numbers) These improvements occurred after the minimum wage increased from $11.60 to $14, and measures like paid sick days and equal pay for equal work came into effect. 

Clearly, the economic evidence and public opinion support better wages and working conditions. Now it is our job to organize the majority in Ontario who want and need decent work. Join us at an upcoming event in your community to win $15 & Fairness for ALL!

February 7th
NORTH YORK, Willowdale Outreach Blitz
Thursday, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Don Mills TTC Station
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

TORONTO, Workers' Rights Workshop: Building Power at UofT
Thursday, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Workers Action Centre
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

February 9th
SCARBOROUGH, Scarborough Town Centre Outreach
Saturday, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM | Scarborough Town Centre
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

ETOBICOKE, Etobicoke Outreach Blitz
Saturday, 1:00 PM to 2:00PM | Kipling TTC station
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

February 11th
HAMILTON, Hamilton Organizing Meeting
Monday, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | ATU 107 Hall 
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

February 12th
TORONTO, Health Care for Migrants: National Day of Action 
Tuesday, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM | Immigration and Refugee Board
Click here to share on Facebook

TORONTO, Data Entry Pizza Party
Tuesday, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM | Workers Action Centre
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

TORONTO, Toronto-wide Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM | Workers Action Centre
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

February 14th
TORONTO, 14th Annual February 14th Strawberry Ceremony for mmiwg2s
Thursday, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Toronto Police Headquarters
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February 16th
OTTAWA, What could a Green New Deal look like in Canada?
Saturday, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | University of Ottawa 
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

February 17th
BRAMPTON, Local $15 and Fairness Meeting
Sunday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Knightsbridge Community and Senior Citizens Centre (1A Knightsbridge Rd)
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

March 21st
CROSS CANADA, International Day for the Elimination of Racism
Mark this important day in your calendar, and stay tuned for details about a local action happening near you. We are encouraging our networks to help centre migrant workers’ issues on that day. For more information, visit: migrantrights.ca.

Communities across Ontario are furious! 2019 has already been made harder, not easier, for millions of workers because Premier Doug Ford rolled back our hard-won $15 minimum wage, cancelled paid sick days and even reversed the law that made it mandatory to pay part-time, contract, casual and temporary workers the same as their full-time counterparts.

Pushing workers in low-wage, precarious employment further into poverty is unacceptable -- and we need to make it our job to let everyone know what the Conservatives have done. That’s why we’ve produced a set of posters (and leaflets) to name and shame the Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) who took away our rights. To find a customized poster (11x17, tabloid size) for your MPP, click here. To find a matching set of leaflets (2UP layout on letter size), click here. Help us share these resources by posting or distributing them in your neighbourhood.

If you don’t live in a riding where the MPP helped roll back our rights,
please feel free to use the Doug Ford poster and leaflet.

Danger ahead: Bill 66

Right now it's crucial that we keep organizing because new attacks on workers and our communities are on the way. Not content with rolling back so many of our workplace rights, the Ford government quietly tabled Bill 66, the Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, late December. If adopted, Bill 66 would: weaken environmental protections; reduce workers’ access to stable pension plans; reduce child care spaces, weaken the rules that ensure child care workers are present in adequate numbers to care for our children and get properly trained; make it harder for trades and labourers in the public sector to get the protection of a union agreement; and more.

Shockingly, not only would Bill 66 remove the employer obligation to display a simple poster in the workplace about workers’ rights, it would also remove the long-standing Ministry of Labour protections for workers against excessive hours of work and unpaid overtime.

Fortunately, workers are not going to put up with this.

Make your voice heard!

Premier Doug Ford needs to be reminded that while he may have the majority of seats inside Queen's Park, WE are the majority in Ontario. Please click here to email Ford right now (your local MPP will be copied too). Let's demand that he immediately withdraw Bill 66 and stop the attacks on our jobs, our services, and our legal protections. 

Until February 19, Ontario Legislative Assembly happens to be on recess. This means our provincial representatives are in their home ridings, attending to constituency matters. Fair labour laws save lives, but Bill 66 does the opposite. No matter which political party your MPP belongs to, please make sure to visit or call them to deliver this important message.

Help organize your community

We're only 3 weeks into 2019 but multiple $15 and Fairness organizing meetings have already taken place in Ottawa, Kingston, Barrie and Toronto. Last Saturday, the women’s march was on fire across Ontario, even though the day was incredibly cold. There is a real appetite in all corners of the province to hold elected officials to account. Help us organize to win decent work for ALL.

Click here to download our new sign-up sheet where you can read more about our big vision for decent work. If you have friends or co-workers who want to get involved, have them add their names and contact information, then email the sheet to us. You can also get your union, group, or network to join $15 & Fairness by visiting: www.15andfairness.org/sign_up 

Upcoming Events

Please scroll below to see upcoming events. If you don't see one in your community, and are interested in hosting a meeting or a Know Your Right Workshop, email us at [email protected] so we can help you get started.

January 25
BARRIE, Community Education and Outreach
Friday, 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM - Meridian Place, Barrie, 6 Simcoe Street
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

January 26
TORONTO, West Toronto Canvass
Saturday, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM - Outside Dufferin Station, North West corner of Dufferin/Bloor
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

January 29
TORONTO, City-wide Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM - 720 Spadina Avenue, Unit 223
***Doors open at 5:30 PM, Meeting starts at 6:00 PM 
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

February 1 
TORONTO, Cuales son tus Derechos Labores apartir de Enero 2019
Friday, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - 720 Spadina Avenue, Unit 223
** This Know Your Rights workshop will be in Spanish only.
For more information, click here.

February 9
ETOBICOKE, Etobicoke Lakeshore Outreach
Saturday, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Outside the Kipling subway station
Click here to RSVP, Click here to share on Facebook

March 21
CROSS CANADA, International Day for the Elimination of Racism
Mark this important day in your calendar, and stay tuned for details about a local action happening near you. We are encouraging our networks to help centre migrant workers’ issues on that day. For more information, visit: migrantrights.ca.

As of today (January 1, 2019), almost 900,000 federally-regulated workers across Canada will have the legislated right to three paid sick days; to equal pay for equal work for part-time, contract, and temporary workers; and to protections against contract flipping**.

There is no doubt that the Federal government took these modest, but important steps, towards legislating $15 & Fairness, after seeing the incredible levels of public support our decent work movement generated for these very rights in Ontario.

Fuel the fight to win $15 & Fairness for ALL!
Become a monthly donor (click here)

Thanks to you taking action, close to a million workers in sectors that cross provincial borders (such as banking, airlines, telecommunications, shipping, transportation, and more) will now benefit from improved working conditions. And furthermore, the federal government will also consider a $15 federal minimum wage by putting together a 10-month task force early this year.

However, as we saw last year with the Ford government's rollbacks of our provincial decent work laws, we can't take these federal victories for granted. This is why in 2019, we must fight even harder to assert every worker's right to $15 & Fairness.

In Ontario, this means holding the Conservative government to account for taking away our rights at work, cutting the services we rely on and weakening workers’ supports.

In the upcoming months, it's essential that we increase our public outreach efforts, to make sure every worker knows about – and benefits from – the improvements we were able to protect last year (click here to read them). Of course, we also need to continue organizing in every corner of the province, to deter the Ford government from further attacking our rights at work. 

To fuel this work, we have a bold request: Would you be willing to give us $15 every month during 2019? (Click here to become a monthly donor).

If just 1% of our supporters made this kind of commitment to the Fight for $15 and Fairness, we could train and mentor local campaign organizers in 5 new cities. A monthly donation of even $5 (the equivalent of a fancy cup of coffee) would make a world of difference, allowing us to distribute more educational resources about our rights at work and make them available in multiple languages. Of course, any one-off financial contribution is also much needed and no amount is too little or too large!

By far, however, the most important contribution you can make is your continued support and solidarity. We have come this far because supporters like you have given their time, energy, and commitment where it matters most: in your community, workplace, or campus.

Thank you for all you have contributed so far! We have much to do in the year ahead, but we are confident that 2019 will mark another year of progress in our fight for decent work for all.

**Protections against contract flipping will allow workers to retain their wages and job security if a service contract is re-signed with another provider.