As you know, the Ford government passed Bill 47 on November 21, 2018, despite overwhelming public opposition to the bill and by ignoring all evidence in support of stronger labour laws.

While Premier Ford rolled back significant improvements we had won last year with Bill 148, we succeeded in protecting many gains that will make a real difference in workers’ lives. This is thanks to you and thousands of others taking action!

Please read below to learn more about the reforms we've collectively protected by putting up resistance every step of the way:

1. $14 minimum wage
   Through grassroots organizing we raised Ontario’s adult general minimum wage to $14 (from $11.60). This accomplishment transfers $3.4 billion from corporate profit to workers’ pockets – each and every year.
   
   
2. Indexation
   Even though the minimum wage will be frozen again until October 1, 2020, we preserved future annual cost of living adjustments that will help prevent the minimum wage from falling further below the poverty line. This is an important win, considering the fact that each year that prices rise and wages don’t, workers experience a cut in their earning power.
   
   
3. Job-protected emergency leave for all
   Before the $15 & Fairness campaign, 1.7 million workers did not have job security if they had to leave a shift due to illness, family emergency or other unplanned urgent situation. At the time, existing job-protected emergency leave only applied to workplaces with 50 or more workers. As a result, workers in smaller workplaces found themselves facing job loss or discipline if they had to deal with an emergency.
   
   Although the Ford government has reduced the overall number of job-protected days and restricted their use with Bill 47, we have been able to defend the access to these emergency days by all workers – regardless of the size of their employer. This provides protection for nearly 2 million workers in smaller (and often more precarious) workplaces.
   
   
4. Misclassification still illegal under the law
   Misclassification is the term used to describe employers who wrongly classify their workers as independent contractors instead of employees. When this happens, workers lose their employment rights under the law and they also lose access to Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, and more. Under Bill 148, misclassification became explicitly prohibited in Ontario.
   While Bill 47 puts the onus on the worker to prove misclassification, it still retains the prohibition under the Act.
   
   
5. Better protections for temporary agency workers:
   
   -  In 2013 we won better protection for temp agency workers when wages go unpaid.
   Both the temp agency and the client company are held responsible for any unpaid wages, overtime or public holiday pay. This important protection remains.
   
   -  Temp agency workers continue to be entitled to notice or pay in lieu of notice if a contract that was supposed to last at least three months is terminated early.
   We have retained this modest, but important penalty for employers who disregard the rights of temp agency workers.
   
   -  Joint responsibility for workplace health and safety.
   Prior to our campaign, corporations used temp agencies as a way to avoid their obligations under the workers' compensation and health and safety acts. In other words, because the temp agency is considered to be the official employer of temp agency workers, the client company was not legally or financially responsible for workplace accidents.
   
   In 2018, due to public pressure, the government finally moved to hold client companies (where temp agency employees actually work) legally and financially responsible for injury and accident costs and liability under workers’ compensation. This protects temp agency workers and removes an important financial incentive for employers to use agency workers in the first place. We’ve retained this change.
   
   
6. Limited protections against contract flipping
   We’ve kept the Bill 148 provision that protects workers when a building services contract expires and a new contract is awarded to a different service provider.
   
   This protection against contract flipping applies to cleaning, security, and food service contracts so that, in the event that an existing contract expires, the wage, working conditions and union protections previously in place are extended to the workers employed by the new service provider.
   
   
7. Three weeks paid vacation after 5 years
   We protected the right to an extra week of paid vacation, after five years with the same employer, which we had won with Bill 148.
   
   
8. Domestic violence leave
   Domestic or sexual violence leave is a job-protected leave of absence that we won with Bill 148 and maintained. It provides up to 10 days and 15 weeks in a calendar year of time off to be taken for specific purposes when an employee or an employee’s child has experienced or been threatened with domestic or sexual violence. The first five days of leave taken in a calendar year are paid, and the rest are unpaid.
   
   
9. A stronger, more united movement
   Our movement has fundamentally changed the conversation about workplace rights.
   77% of Ontarians support paid sick leave and a majority of Ontarians support equal pay for equal work, fairer scheduling rules and greater access to union protections. In fact, two-thirds of Ontarians – including over 60% of small business owners and 42% of Conservative voters – support a $15 minimum wage.
   
   When workers fight for these rights in the workplace now, they are going to have more public support. This lays the foundation for strong collective bargaining campaigns for unionized workers. It will also help non-unionized workers fight wrongful dismissal when employers try to roll back wage increases and paid sick days that are in place.

But perhaps our most important achievement is the exponential growth of our decent work movement across Ontario with roots in diverse communities, campuses, workplaces, and neighbourhoods.

By building on this momentum, there is no doubt we are going to be much better situated to make $15 and Fairness a reality for every worker in Ontario.

Please join us in the upcoming days to celebrate our collective hard work and stay organized to hold the Ford government to account for their betrayal to the people of Ontario.

See below for events happening next week, and visit our website regularly to see the latest listings.

Saturday, December 8th
TORONTO
A Celebration of Resistance
Saturday, 7:00PM - 10:00PM - ETFO Provincial Office, 136 Isabella St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Monday, December 10th
HAMILTON
Keep Fighting for $15: Beyond Bill 47 Organizing meeting
Monday, 6:00PM - 8:00PM - ATU Local 107, 1005 King St E
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Monday, December 10th to 14th (Week of Action)

ONTARIO WIDE
Workers’ Comp is a Right! Provincial Week of Action
Actions all week across Ontario from Toronto to Thunder Bay
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Tuesday, December 11th
OTTAWA
Holiday Social and Strategy Session
Tuesday, 6:30PM - 8:00PM - Fox and Feather Pub and Grill, 283 Elgin Street
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Saturday, December 15th
BRAMPTON
Brampton Social: Celebration of Resistance
Saturday, 1:00PM - 3:00PM - Central PS Community Centre, 24 Alexander St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Ontario is open for sickness. Ontario is open for poverty wages. Ontario is open for law-breaking bad bosses. And we have Premier Doug Ford's Bill 47, which was passed today by a vote of 69 in favour and 45 against, to thank for it.

For those who believed Ford when he promised to stand up for the people, today's betrayal will not be forgotten. He has now told Ontario workers loudly and clearly, that his is a government for Big Business and Big Business only. 

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We are outraged. By passing Bill 47 today, the Ford government not only took the most modest protections away from millions of workers, but did so despite an overwhelming and well-documented opposition from the public. Over 77% of Ontarians -- including 64% of Conservative voters -- oppose Ford government's decision to eliminate paid sick days. Over 66% of Ontarians -- including 62% of small businesses -- support a $15 minimum wage. 

The economic evidence is also clear: the $14 minimum wage and other labour law reforms have not harmed Ontario's economy. From Statistics Canada to the Bank of Canada, there is not a shred of evidence to excuse this government's action. No wonder the right wing Toronto Sun and corporate Financial Post were reduced to publishing misleading claims from a fringe, ideologically-motivated Montreal-based think tank. Respected economist Michal Rozworski de-bunked these claims in just a few hours -- click here to get the facts.

Premier Ford and the Conservative Members of Provincial Parliament know, they had NO MANDATE to rollback labour law reforms. This is why they are repeating lies and avoiding their own constituents (the very people whom they get paid to represent). Across the province we've heard from hundreds of people that MPPs are not returning calls, refusing meetings, running out back doors or side exits, and in a couple of cases, actually turning out the lights and hiding in back rooms as constituents wait to be heard! 

They can run, but they can't hide. Yesterday, over 120 supporters of the $15 & Fairness campaign packed the gallery inside the provincial legislature. WE were the majority inside Queen's Park and we shut it down and successfully delayed the vote on Bill 47 for another day.  

Check out the CityNews coverage of our action by clicking here

We are not exaggerating when we say that our movement for decent work is growing every day. Some of the people who joined us at Queen's Park last night were in fact taking their first action with us. Like all of us, they are angry and ready to fight. It will be up to every single one of us to stay organized, stay strong, and push back against the lies coming from this government, and their corporate friends. Have a listen to some of the plans we have for moving forward by tuning into yesterday's $15 & Fairness Assembly (click here), held right after the Queen's Park action. And watch your inbox. We'll have a detailed analysis of all the things we were able to protect against this round of corporate backlash that will make a huge difference for millions of workers, from job-protected emergency leave to the $14 minimum wage. 

If you are reading this, YOU too have made our $15 and Fairness movement so much stronger. Remember, WE are the majority. And with your support, there's no way we'll let this government off the hook for what it's done. And we will be well-placed to win the next round. 

We just learned that Bill 47 will go for a final vote at the provincial legislature on Tuesday afternoon. This dangerous law will cut the minimum wage and delay $15 by seven (7)! years, eliminate paid sick days, reduce UNPAID sick leave, lower fines for employers who break the law, as well as roll back most of our new labour rights.

That leaves just three days for us to get as many of our friends, co-workers, and family to contact their Member of Provincial Parliament. If you haven't yet emailed your MPP please do it now (click here) and ask others to join you. Better, to make sure our elected officials hear our demand for decent work -- CALL YOUR MPP! You can find them and their phone number, by entering your postal code here. When you call, ask your MPP to vote against Bill 47.

If you are in Toronto, we need your help to pack the Queen's Park Gallery on Tuesday to witness the vote (click here to let us know you'll be there). Our best intel says MPPs will debate Bill 47 one last time (between 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm) before voting on it as early as 5:00 pm. *** Ford government has the power to change the timing of the debate at the last minute to avoid public scrutiny while they vote on Bill 47, please RSVP (click here) and watch your email so we can keep you updated ***

The public demand for $15 & Fairness is growing! More than three-quarters (77%) of Ontarians support paid sick days, and the vast majority want a $15 minimum wage and all the other reforms we fought so hard for. Premier Doug Ford and his government have NO MANDATE to roll back our rights (click to read our Bill 47 analysis). Every MPP who sides with Corporate lobbyists over the needs of their constituents needs to know we will not forget what they have done and we will not give up our fight.

Actions are happening every day to spread the word about our rights, and why they are at stake. Scroll down to find an event near you (or click here):

As we reported in our last update, the Ford government is sending Bill 47, the dangerous legislation that seeks to take away basic protections from workers, to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. This is a governmental committee including 9 members of parliament who will hear from the public on Thursday and consider changes to Bill 47.

TAKE ACTION
click here to speak out against Bill 47

Let's be clear: the government is not sending the Bill to Committee for democratic input. Rather, they are sending Bill 47 to committee as a means of creating another platform for their corporate backers to spread misinformation. Indeed, consultations have been scheduled for a mere five (5) hours. As such, it is unlikely that the voices of the 66% majority who support a $15 minimum wage and decent work will be well-represented in this process.

This is why your support is critical to make our voices heard. Can you take a minute right now to send a letter to the Standing Committee? We have pre-drafted one for you that you can send off with the click of a button (if you'd like, you can easily customize the letter and add your personal take on why Bill 47 must be repealed). Click here to send your letter now, which will be copied to the members of the Standing Committee and the leaders of the political parties.

We can not allow the Ford government to create the illusion of a "public consultation" while limiting feedback on Bill 47 to just 5 hours. Send your letter now to add your name to the list of people, businesses and organizations who support fairer labour laws. Let's create a public record of the majority support for decent work, in contrast to the minority voices of Big Business who'll comprise the bulk of people cherry-picked to make in-person presentations to the Committee. 

While flooding the inboxes of Committee members with letters calling for the withdrawal of Bill 47, we will also continue taking our message to the streets and the media. At least 3 cities, including Ottawa (Nepean), Toronto and Newmarket are scheduled to hold PUBLIC hearings on Thursday to amplify the voices of the people most affected by the proposed rollback of workers' rights (scroll below for event details or click here). Ford government and their deep-pocketed lobbyist friends can hold their 5-hour "consultation", WE will host our own public hearings.

There are actions happening every day of the week in all corners of Ontario. Just in the past week we have made headlines in Sault Ste. Marie, Windsor, Hamilton, Oxford, Chatham, Peterborough, and Toronto, to name only a few places. Scheduled and unscheduled MPP visits continue to unfold across the province involving faith leaders, teachers, health providers, faculty, students, workers, and other community leaders. Please scroll below to join an event near you, and don't forget to send your letter to the committee.

Monday, November 12th
HAMILTON
Hamilton Fight for $15 Working Meeting
Monday, 6:00PM - 8:00PM - CUPE 5167 Hall, 818 King St E
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

TORONTO
2 Weeks to Organize: UofT Meeting & Letter Writing
Monday, 6:00PM - 8:00PM - 720 Spadina Ave Unit 223
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Wednesday, November 14th
BRAMPTON
Peel $15 and Fairness Outreach
Wednesday, 8:00AM - 9AM - Brampton Gateway Terminal, 501 Main St S
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

TORONTO
Emergency Phonebanking for $15 & Fairness
Wednesday, 5:30PM - 8:00PM, 720 Spadina Ave Unit 223
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Thursday, November 15th
BRANTFORD
Brantford Transit Canvass
Thursday, 9:00AM - 10:00AM, Brantford Transit Terminal, 64 Darling St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Brantford's Fight for $15 and Fairness Canvassing
Thursday, 12:00PM - 2:00PM, RCW Lobby, 154 Dalhousie St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Community pressure is working. We just learned that the dangerous legislation that seeks to rollback our new workers' rights, Bill 47, will be sent to Committee for further review.

Unlike other regressive bills that the Ford government rammed through without committee hearings, they can't get away with doing so now with Bill 47. This is thanks to you and thousands of others, who have been mobilizing in every corner of Ontario on a daily basis. But we can't stop now.

Click here to join an upcoming event
or scroll below

Our communities are outraged that Premier Ford is defending Bill 47, which puts the health and lives of Ontarians at risk. It is shameful that this government wants to take away 2 meagre paid sick days from workers, reduce access to unpaid emergency leave, lower penalties for employers who break the law, and force low-wage workers into poverty.

What can you do?

Right now, every day counts. Help us expose the consequences of Bill 47. Watch and share this new video to remind everyone why a $15 minimum wage is a way better deal for the lowest paid workers of Ontario, than Ford's proposed tax cut. The $15 minimum wage scheduled for January 2019 will put almost $2,000 in workers' pocket, while the most people might get from a tax cut is $800. But even that's a stretch since most people making minimum wage earn so little, they already get all their taxes back. 

click here to watch on Facebook - click here to watch on Twitter

Remember, Bill 47 will impose a real dollar cut in the minimum wage and delay $15 at least until 2025. This together with canceling equal pay for equal work for part-time and temp agency workers, will lead to the growth of short-time, precarious jobs with no benefits. Click here to read our backgrounder on Bill 47 and learn more.

Visit your local MPP

The coming week, November 5th to 9th is "Constituency Week" - a time when the Ontario Legislative Assembly does not meet and MPPs spend time in their ridings, with their constituents. It's a great time to drop by and make your voice heard!

Please take 10 minutes to drop by the office of your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) with a message to let them know you expect them to vote against Bill 47. In fact, you can download and print this paper card, sign it and deliver it to your MPP. Click here to find your MPP. 

If you are able to secure a meeting with your MPP, you can download this "Pledge Placard". It's basically a large scale survey to make your MPP's position on Bill 47 visible for all to see, including local media if you're at an event where the media is expected. This survey is designed to be printed on 11" x 17" papers (tabloid size). Bring a large felt pen to add the name of your MPP and check off the box that applies when you ask them to vote against Bill 47. Be sure to take a picture with your completed "Pledge Placard."

To access more resources - including leaflets, factsheets, "Hands off posters" with the name of your MPP -- click here.

Ask to make a deputation to the Committee reviewing Bill 47

Labour Minister Laurie Scott has been saying that Bill 47 came out of a 4-month consultation process. But we ask: consultation with whom? It seems like the only views they're interested in, comes from corporate lobbyists. We need your help to make sure the voices of workers, health providers, students, people of faith, faculty, community leaders, and others come through loud and clear. 

The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs will hold the hearings that are expected to last for a mere 5 hours on November 15. We need to flood the Committee with requests to make presentations. If you are a person who will be losing your paid sick days, equal pay, fairer scheduling rules, and/or higher wages, we encourage you to make a deputation to the Standing Committee. If you know someone who is affected by Bill 47, you should also ask to depute. Contact the Committee Clerk via email: [email protected] or by phone: 416-325-3526 to request a chance to speak to the Committee. Please call or email right now. We can be sure the Ontario Chamber of Commerce is already mobilizing to stack the committee with big business voices, so please act now.

Join an upcoming action.

Join us at an upcoming action to tell the government:#WithdrawBill147! Let's demand every MPP to vote against the bill. More events are coming online every day. Visit the campaign website to see the most up-to-date listing. 

Friday, November 2^nd

WINDSOR
Rally at the Chamber of Commerce 
Friday, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM - 2575 Ouellette Place 
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Saturday, November 3^rd

SAULT STE MARIE
Bill 47 Emergency Planning Meeting 
Saturday, 11:00AM to 12:00PM – 415 Pim Street
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Monday, November 5^th

HAMILTON 
Fight for $15 Action Plan Meeting
Monday, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM – ATU Local 107 Hall, 1005 King St East
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

TORONTO
Fight for $15 Activist Mondays
Monday, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM – 720 Spadina Ave Unit 223
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Letter Writing Party in York-South Weston
Monday, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM – Weston Village Seniors Centre, 8 John Street
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Tuesday, November 6^th 

BRANTFORD
Brantford Organizing Meeting
Tuesday, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Revolution Coffee, 18 Market St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

TORONTO
Toronto Wide Organizing Meeting
Tuesday,  5:30 PM to 8:30 PM – 720 Spadina Avenue Unit 223
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Wednesday, November 7^th

AJAX
Ajax $15 and Fairness Go station leafleting
Wednesday, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Ajax GO Station, 100 Westney Rd S
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

KINGSTON
Decent Work under Ford: A Panel Discussion
Wednesday, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, B201 Mackintosh-Corry Hall, 68 University Ave
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

TORONTO
Emergency Phonebanking for $15 and Fairness
Wednesday, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM – 720 Spadina Ave Unit 223
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Friday, November 9^th 

TORONTO
Student Rally for $15 and Fairness
Friday, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM – Intersection of Yonge and Bloor
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Saturday, November 10^th

AJAX
Ajax $15 and Fairness Bill 47 Response
Friday, 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Outside Starbucks by 90 Kingston Rd E 
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Monday, November 19^th 

TORONTO
Getting to Work: Organizing against Climate and Labour Precarity Panel
Monday, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM – 720 Spadina Ave Unit 223
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

On Tuesday, October 23, the Doug Ford government introduced Bill 47. This legislation seeks to impose a real dollar cut in the minimum wage and eliminate most of our new workplace rights, including paid sick days, equal pay for equal work, and more. If passed, this outrageous legislation will force millions into poverty, while putting workers' health and safety at risk. Click here to read our briefing note on the bill.

That's why, across the province, the reaction to Bill 47 was swift. Emergency actions sprang up in over 15 cities, including in: Oakville, Ottawa, Whitby, North Bay, London, Waterloo, Peel, Scarborough, Newmarket, Kingston, Aurora, Sudbury, Etobicoke, Niagara, Toronto, and more.

In Toronto, the Fight for $15 & Fairness along with the Ontario Federation of Labour, organized a well-attended media conference at Queen's Park the very same day the the regressive legislation was tabled. The following day, an emergency rally outside the Ministry of Labour drew 500 people who marched to the legislature, calling on the government to reverse course. 

In all corners of the province there is an incredible determination to push back against Bill 47 and more actions are unfolding almost every day.

Click to join an upcoming action to defend our rights
(or scroll below for event listing) 

Sadly, on Friday, we learned the tragic news that a 4th temp agency worker was killed at a Fiera Foods related bakery in Toronto. This is the same food processing company where 3 temp agency workers previously lost their lives, prompting an undercover investigation by Toronto Star's Sara Mojtehedzadeh. We send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of the deceased.  

In light of the tragedy, we held an emergency vigil that same night (click here to see the live-stream). Another community vigil is taking place this Monday at 5:30 PM at Keele Street & York Boulevard (main entrance of York University), which is very close to the location of the plant where this worker was killed. Please let us know if you can make it (click here), and bring candles and flowers with you if possible. 

Click to share on Facebook  - Click to share on Twitter

We know this heartbreaking death is not an isolated event (click here to read our backgrounder on the Fiera Food deaths). It is what happens - and what will happen in the future - if workers are treated as disposable and if the laws meant to protect us are weakened, or not enforced at all. Premier Doug Ford must immediately withdraw Bill 47 and strengthen the enforcement of our existing labour laws. This means resuming the proactive inspections done by the Ministry of Labour (halted since September) and hiring the 100 new employment standards officers that were planned before the Ford government imposed a hiring freeze.

Please speak out by joining an event near you
(or scroll below for event listing) 

Let's be clear about the serious implications of Bill 47:

• When the government says freeze the minimum wage for 33 months, it means a real dollar cut in earnings for the lowest-paid workers in the province. After that wage cut, the minimum wage would only be adjusted in accordance with the previous year's price increases (Consumer Price Index). It could be 2025 by the time the minimum wage reaches $15, and by then, a $15 wage will, once again, fall below the poverty line. This government wants to reimpose poverty on millions of workers in this province.

• When the government says it wants to cut paid sick days, it is saying it has no problem forcing workers to work while they are sick or injured. It is saying they have no problem with parents having to send their sick child to school where they might spread illness to other children and education workers. It says this government has a complete disregard for the health and well-being of the people who keep this province functioning.

• When the government says it wants to re-impose a requirement for Doctors' notes, it is saying it has no problem forcing sick workers into hospital waiting rooms and risk spreading disease to others. It has no problem clogging up our health care system for visits that the Ontario Medical Association has said are unnecessary, wasteful, and costly. It says this government has no problem imposing red tape on workers and health providers. 

• When this government reduces penalties for employers who openly disregard the law - as Bill 47 seeks to do - this government is telling Ontario's most unscrupulous employers that it is open season on the most vulnerable workers in this province. Especially those who work in temp agencies.  

We need your help to deliver a message to Premier Doug Ford and his government: Fair labour laws, save lives. Bill 47 has not been passed, and it needs to be withdrawn immediately. Our elected officials must ensure our safety and well-being on the job, not jeopardize it.

Join us at an upcoming action to tell the government: #WithdrawBill147! More events are coming online every day. Visit the campaign website to see the most up-to-date listing. 

MONDAY, October 29:

TORONTO, Community vigil
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. Intersection of Keele St & York Blvd (Main entrance of York University)
Let's honour the 4th temp agency worker who was killed at a Fiera Foods related company last week. Please bring candles and flowers if possible.
Click here to RSVP and here to share on Facebook

HAMILTON, Emergency meeting
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Workers Arts & Heritage Centre, 51 Stuart St
Join this emergency meeting to discuss how we can mobilize against the planned repeal of our decent work laws.
Click here to RSVP and here to share on Facebook

RICHMOND HILL, Outreach outside MPP office
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Outside PC MPP's Michael Parsa's office, 13291 Yonge St
Join us outside Richmond Hill PC MPP Michael Parsa's office to deliver the message: Withdraw Bill 47. We will have posters and leaflets to talk to our neighbours too.
Click here to RSVP and share on Facebook

TUESDAY, October 30:

BRANTFORD, Emergency action
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM. Victoria Park, 65 Market St
We'll be meeting at 1:30 PM at Victoria Park by the middle statue before heading over to local MPP Will Bouma's office to do petitioning and postering outreach. 
Click here to RSVP and here to share on Facebook

NORTH BAY, Outreach outside North Bay Chamber
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM. Outside North Bay Chamber of Commerce, 205 Main St E
Help us counter the misinformation campaign of the corporate mouthpiece, Chamber of Commerce. Come and join us talk to local residents.
Click here to RSVP and here to share on Facebook

WEDNESDAY, October 31:

OTTAWA, Halloween action on Carleton Campus
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM. Carleton University campus, outside OPIRG office (326 UC)
Join us to petition across Carleton campus to get signatures on our petition in support of $15 minimum wage and fair labour laws for all. Dress in halloween costume if you can!
Click here to RSVP and here to share on Facebook

TORONTO, Halloween action outside Ontario Chamber of Commerce
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM. Outside Ontario Chamber of Commerce, 180 Dundas St West
Come trick-or-treating with us on Halloween at the Chamber of Commerce. Let's get the word out that the Chamber is spinning lies about the impact of decent work on the economy to justify their call for the full repeal of our newly won rights.
Click here to RSVP and here to share on Facebook

FRIDAY, November 2:

OTTAWA, Campus action outside the office of Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Outside Minister Fullerton's office, 240 Michael Cowpland Dr, Kanata
Join us outside Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Merrilee Fullerton's office. We will be calling on Minister Fullerton to stand with students, staff and faculty and reject the repeal of decent work laws. 
Click here to RSVP and here to share on Facebook

TORONTO, Emergency Phonebanking
2:00 PM - 7:00 PM. 720 Spadina Ave, Suite 223
On Friday, help us call our supporters to get them to leave messages with their own Members of Provincial Parliament, to deliver the message: #WithdrawBill47 immediately! No previous experience is needed, we have scripts and snacks to help you get going.
Click here to RSVP and share the event with your network

We are just learning news that a worker has been killed at Upper Crust bakery in Toronto. This is the 4^th workplace death at a Fiera Foods-related company. The previous three workers who were killed, were all hired through temporary agencies. Fiera Foods was the subject of an undercover investigation by Toronto Star's Sara Mojtehedzadeh. 

We send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of the deceased. And in light of the tragedy, we are calling an emergency vigil tonight at 6:00 PM outside Queen's Park (Toronto). Please let us know if you can make it, and bring candles and flowers with you if possible. 

The tragic death that took place last night, is not an isolated event! This a real life consequence of what happens when laws fail to protect us. 

Click to share on Facebook  - Click to share on Twitter

By tabling Bill 47 this week and threatening to rollback our new laws, the Conservative government has declared war on the most vulnerable workers in the province. If passed, Bill 47, would:

• reduce penalties assigned to employers for violating workplace laws
• make it easier to deny workers any employment standards protections -- including EI, CPP and WSIB -- by misclassifying them as self-employed contractors, instead of employees
• make it easier for employers to fire workers who decline last-minute shifts
• eliminate paid sick days and reduce access to personal emergency leave
• impose a real dollar wage cut for Ontario’s lowest paid workers
• allow employers to pay part-time and temporary agency workers less than their full-time or directly-hired counterparts

Unfortunately, the attack on workers doesn't end there. Yesterday we learned from a leaked government memo that proactive inspections done by the Ministry of Labour have been halted since September, despite being proven as an effective method for catching bad bosses. In other words, corrupt employers are getting the green light to continue breaking the law.

Also since introducing Bill 47 on Tuesday, several Conservative MPPs, Premier Doug Ford included, has been engaged in a smear campaign to paint our grassroots movement for decent work, as fringe, as vandals, as radicals following a break-in that took place at Labour Minister Laurie Scott's constituency office. 

Let us not be distracted from the real threat coming from Queen's Park. This is why, across the province, faith groups, health organizations, community agencies, labour activists, students, teachers, and workers continue to organize actions (you can see upcoming events by clicking here).

News of this devastating death just makes it crystal clear that the protections we are seeking are crucial for the safety and well-being of our communities. The government must WITHDRAW BILL 47. Failure to do so will mean forcing millions of workers into poverty and make their lives even more unsafe and uncertain. 

If you can -- please join us tonight at 6:00 PM outside Queen's Park for the emergency vigil. If you cannot come in person, please help us by:

- Inviting your friends to the vigil on Facebook - click here to spread the word
- Emailing Premier Ford and telling him to withdraw Bill 47 - click here to add your voice
- Tuning into the live-stream of the candlelight vigil at 6:00 PM via the campaign Facebook page
- Donating to the campaign, to help us have a fighting chance against the greedy corporations that are spearheading the campaign to roll back our new labour laws - make a donation now

The Doug Ford government broke their promise to the people of Ontario today by standing with the corporate lobbyists and announcing significant rollbacks to our new labour laws.

JOIN AN EMERGENCY ACTION 
click to find one near you

Just a few hours ago the Conservative government introduced legislation to:
 - freeze the minimum wage at $14 for the next 2 years, and cancel the scheduled January 1 increase to $15 
 - eliminate two paid sick days for all workers
 - cancel fair scheduling rules
 - take away the right to equal pay for equal work
and so much more.

Millions believed Doug Ford when he promised to govern FOR THE PEOPLE. Today, his lies have been exposed. Clearly, he is more interested in looking out for his deep pocketed CEO friends, than the needs of Ontario workers. 

Let's be clear, this rollback legislation seeks to take away the MOST BASIC protections from workers who need them desperately. This is an attack on low-income workers, women, people of color and newcomers who are disproportionately represented in precarious jobs.

We need your help to send a clear message to the Doug Ford government that their betrayal to millions of workers in Ontario will not go unnoticed. We must respond swiftly.

Starting tomorrow we are rolling out emergency actions across Ontario. Can we count on your participation? Scroll below to find an action near you, and keep checking www.15andfairness.org/events to see new events that are being announced.

Don't see an event near you? Please spread the word by forwarding this email to your friends and co-workers. If you haven't already, take a moment right now to email Premier Ford by clicking here.

Thanks to your support, last week we organized the decade's largest coordinated day of action on workers' rights in Ontario. From faith leaders to teachers, health providers to labour activists, anti-poverty groups to low-wage workers -- our movement represents the majority of Ontarians, the 66% who support decent work. Let's continue organizing this majority to let elected officials know there will be real consequences to attacking our communities.

Wednesday, October 24

LONDON
London Emergency Action
Wednesday, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM - London Chamber of Commerce, 244 Pall Mall St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

NORTH BAY
North Bay Emergency Action
Wednesday, 4:00 – 5:00 PM – Intersection of Judge Street and Lakeshore Street 
Please share on Facebook 

OAKVILLE
Oakville Emergency Action
Wednesday, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, Oakville GO Bus station, 214 Cross Ave
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

OTTAWA
Ottawa Emergency Action
Wednesday, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Ottawa Board of Trade, 328 Somerset St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

TORONTO
Toronto Emergency Action at the Ministry of Labour
Wednesday, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Ministry of Labour, 400 University Ave
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

WATERLOO
Waterloo Emergency Action
Wednesday, 4:00 PM - Waterloo Square, 75 King St South
Please share on Facebook

WHITBY
Durham Emergency Action
Wednesday, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM - MPP Lorne Coe Office, 114 Dundas St E
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Thursday, October 25

PEEL
Peel Emergency Rally
Thursday, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM, Corner of Hurontario St and Steeles Ave
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

KINGSTON
Kingston Emergency Rally
Thursday, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Tim Hortons, 681 Princess St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

SCARBOROUGH
Scarborough Emergency Action
Thursday, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM, ACCES Employment (Temp agency), 2100 Ellesmere Road, Suite 250 -- (Markham Rd. and Ellesmere Rd. intersection)
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Monday, October 29

HAMILTON
Hamilton Emergency Meeting
Monday, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Workers Arts & Heritage Centre, 51 Stuart St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Largest. Coordinated. Day of action. In a decade. In support of workers' rights in Ontario.
That's what we are getting ready to organize on Monday, October 15.

Click to find an October 15 event near you!
or scroll below

On Monday, we will be mobilizing in all corners of Ontario to defend the new workplace laws we won last year, including the $15 minimum wage that is scheduled for January 1. This Day of Action is crucial to convince the Doug Ford Government to put our need for decent work ahead of corporate interests.

WATCH & SHARE THE PROMO VIDEO FOR OCTOBER 15
Click to share on Facebook -  Click to share on Twitter

We are expecting over 50 events to take place on the October 15 Day of Action that we are organizing together with the Ontario Federation of Labour. That means doubling the 20+ actions we held on September 15, when we collectively pulled off the largest provincial day of mobilization since the Ontario election in June. Clearly, the momentum is with the 66% of Ontarians who want and support $15 & Fairness.

Will you join us on October 15?

Right now Big Business lobbyists are using every trick in the book to pressure the government into fully repealing our new labour laws. Let's not forget, when the Chamber of Commerce campaigns against Bill 148, they are literally campaigning to make it easier for employers to fire workers whose childcare has fallen through, who decline a last-minute shift, or who stay home sick when they have the flu (click here to read more about what's at stake).

We cannot let the corporate pressure roll back the most basic protections we won through grassroots organizing. Hands off job-protected emergency leave, paid sick days, equal pay for equal work! Despite chatter, the government hasn't moved yet to cancel the new labour laws, which means $15 is less than 12 weeks away.

Please join us on Monday by speaking out for $15 & Fairness. In addition to the events listed below, actions will also be happening in 24 Ontario Colleges.

If you can't come in person, please take action online! Send an email to Premier Doug Ford and your local MPP by clicking here and ask your friends to do the same! Please use the hashtag #15andFairness to spread the word about the Day of Action on social media, and show your support!

AJAX

MPP Rod Phillips’ Office
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM -- 1 Rossland Road W, Suite 209
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

ALLISTON

MPP Jim Wilson’s Office
4:15 PM to 6:15 PM -- 180 Parsons Rd, Unit 28
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

AURORA

Outreach Blitz
2:30 PM to 4:00 PM -- 15900 Bayview Avenue
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

BRAMPTON

Outreach Blitz
5:00 PM to 6:30 PM --  Brampton City Hall, 2 Wellington Street
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

BRANTFORD

MPP Will Bouma's Office 
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM --  Assemble at Laurier Brantford (student centre), then visit the MPP’s office at 96 Nelson Street (Suite 101)
Please share on Facebook

COBOURG

MPP David Piccini’s Office
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM --  513 Division Street
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

ETOBICOKE

Outreach Blitz
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM -- Corner of Dixon and Islington
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

GUELPH

Outreach Blitz
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM -- University Centre and Guelph City Hall
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

HAMILTON

Mohawk College
12:00 Noon to 1:00 pm -- Fennel Campus (135 Fennel Avenue West)
Share on Facebook

Rally
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM -- Jackson Square (James North and King Street)
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

KINGSTON

Queen’s University
12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM -- University Avenue & Union Street West

St. Lawrence College
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM -- Main entrance, transit stop

Cataraqui Town Centre
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM -- South Entrance facing Kingston Frontenac library

Please RSVP or share on Facebook

LONDON

Fanshawe College
10 AM to 3 PM -- F Building at Fanshawe College
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Chamber of Commerce Action
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM -- London Chamber of Commerce, 244 Pall Mall St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

MISSISSAUGA

Outreach Blitz
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM -- Westwood Mall, 7205 Goreway Drive (bus shelter)
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Outreach Blitz
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM -- Mississauga Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Dr
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

NEWMARKET

Action Against Corporate Bullies
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM -- Real Canadian Superstore, 18120 Yonge St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

NORTH BAY

15 Workplace Actions
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM -- Across the city
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

OAKVILLE

Banner Drop
4:30 PM to 6:00 PM -- Trafalgar Road exit - South-West QEW off-Ramp
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

OTTAWA

Outreach Blitz
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM -- in front of Loblaws, 363 Rideau St (corner of Nelson St)
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

PETERBOROUGH

Outreach Blitz
4:30 PM to 6:00 PM -- South East corner of George St North & Simcoe St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

SCARBOROUGH

Centennial College, Progress Campus
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM -- Progress Campus, the Bridge
Share on Facebook

Scarborough Centre
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM -- Intersection of Warden Ave and Lawrence Ave East
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Scarborough Agincourt
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM --  Sheppard Ave East and Kennedy Road Intersection
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Scarborough Rouge Park
2:30 PM to 4:00 PM -- Morningside Avenue and Milner Avenue Intersection
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

ST. CATHARINES

Rally
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM -- Outside the Ministry of Transportation, 289 St Paul St
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

TORONTO

Morning Outreach Blitz
7:30 AM to 8:45 AM -- Dufferin & Sherbourne TTC stations as well as Parkdale
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

York University Outreach Blitz
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM -- Vari Hall, York University at 198 York Blvd
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

University of Toronto Outreach Blitz  
11:00 AM to 12:15 PM -- Sid Smith (East Side)
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Rally outside Ministry of Labour
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM - 400 University Ave
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Educators at Lawrence West
3:15 PM to 5:00 PM -- Lawrence West Subway Station
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Educators at Parkdale
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM -- Corner of Lansdowne and Seaforth
Please RSVP 

WATERLOO

MPP Mike Harris’ Office
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM -- 63 Arthur St South Unit 3&4
Please RSVP or share on Facebook

Workers in every corner of Ontario are getting ready for the October 15 - Provincial Day of Action next Monday. Will you join us?

From teachers speaking out about the impact of poverty wages on students who come to school exhausted or hungry, to doctors advocating for good jobs as a public health solution - support for $15 & Fairness is growing. Even Ford voters are speaking out in support of the fight for $15 and fairness.

Evidence is in

The jobs data released by Statistics Canada on Friday makes our case even clearer: when workers have money in their pockets, they spend it, creating more business and more jobs.

Contrary to the lies spread by the Chamber of Commerce and their Big Business backers, employment is up and wages are improving in Ontario. This is true even in the Food Services and Accommodation sector where the proportion of minimum wage employment is highest and therefore most likely to be impacted by a higher minimum wage.

As David Bush explains in this must-read analysis: The data show "wage growth in the lowest wage sector in Ontario doubled the national average over the last 12 months... This is the exact opposite of what the business lobby is claiming is happening. The trend line is showing that the $15 minimum wage, far from having an adverse impact on jobs and hours for workers in the low-wage sector, is benefiting workers."

Join us on October 15 - Day of Action

With both the evidence and the public support on our side, we need to double-down our efforts to make sure that the Ontario government stands with the people against the corporate lobby groups. Right now, we are only 12 weeks away from the $15 minimum wage increase and fairer scheduling rules that are coming into effect on January 1, 2019. The government has not yet moved to roll back our gains, despite the public musings last week. 

Click here to share on Facebook -- Click here to share on Twitter

This is why our October 15 Day of Action is more crucial than ever (sign up now for to join an event near you). Across the province, we have street, campus, workplace and online actions already planned, but we need your help to mobilize as many other people as we can. Click here to see announced events for October 15.

Constituency week - drop by your local MPP office

As we get ready for October 15, if you have 15 minutes to spare this week help us send a strong message to your local representative. This week is constituency week - where Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) are in their home ridings (find the address of your MPP here).

The constituency week is an excellent time to drop by your local MPP office and let them know you support the $15 minimum wage, fairer scheduling, job-protected emergency leave, paid sick days, equal pay, and all the other improvements contained in Bill 148 that the Ontario Chamber of Commerce is campaigning to eliminate (read our 1-page backgrounder to learn more).

What else can you do to take action:

Let's remember, every day without legislation or regulation rolling back our rights is a victory for our side. But we are in a race against the clock to let our friends, neighbours and co-workers know that our new workplace rights are in grave danger.

• Email your MPP, click here. Then mobilize your friends, family and co-workers to do the same.
• Order a window / lawn sign or a banner to display on your campus, in your workplace or neighbourhood (click here).
• Help us financially - we urgently need financial resources to fund this phase of the campaign (click here to donate). No amount is too small - or too large! 

With your energy and commitment, there's every reason to believe we can convince the government to stand with the people, not with the corporate elites. But they need to hear from us, the 66% majority who support $15 and Fairness.

Let's make it happen.