(TORONTO, ON) -- Leaders of the $15 and Fairness movement, including the Fight for $15 and Fairness and the Ontario Federation of Labour, will be speaking at a press conference on Friday September 28, 2018 at 9:30 am in the Queen’s Park media studio.

With mere weeks to go before 1.7 million Ontario workers get their long-awaited $15 minimum wage, the Minister of Labour mentioned to reporters Wednesday that the government intends to cancel the $15 minimum wage, which is currently scheduled to come in on January 1, 2019.

Freezing the minimum wage at $14 would ignore the 66% public support and 62% small business support for the $15 minimum wage. It would also ignore the economic gains to be made from putting decent wages in low wage workers’ pockets. Bill 148, Fair Wages, Better Jobs Act, brought in the $15 minimum wage and many improvements for workers after an extensive two-and-a-half-year province-wide consultation.

The Ontario Federation of Labour and the Fight for $15 and Fairness emphasize that, contrary to what the Minister suggests, there is no need for another review.

When:  Press Conference on Friday September 28, 2018 at 9:30 am
Where: Queen’s Park Media Studio
Speakers:  
Chris Buckley, President, Ontario Federation of Labour; 
Deena Ladd, Workers’ Action Centre; 
Christine, a minimum wage earner; and,
other community leaders to be announced.

For further information contact:   

Nil Sendil 
Communications Coordinator,
Fight for $15 & Fairness
[email protected] l 647-710-5795

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2018 -- Constituents in more than 20 Ontario ridings called on their local Conservative MPPs today to oppose calls from Big Business to scrap the $15 minimum wage.

Almost two million workers are counting on the $15 minimum wage which is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2019. Public opinion surveys show that 66% of Ontarians support a $15 minimum wage and many believe it should be even higher. A similar percentage of small business owners – 62% – also believe the minimum wage should be at least $15 an hour.

Despite this fact, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has called on Premier Doug Ford to fully repeal the legislation that made Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to provide two paid sick days to all workers, unpaid emergency leave, in addition to fairer scheduling laws and a $15 minimum wage taking effect January 1, 2019.

Christine Ilott, who lives in York Region, wants her MPP to do the right thing: “Working for minimum wage is a struggle. I’m a college graduate. I'm in my mid-40s. I live alone. I have the same bills most families do, and I struggle to pay them. That's with four jobs across the GTA. All my jobs are minimum wage. Last year I earned in the vicinity of $22,000. You can’t live in Toronto on that. You can’t live anywhere in Ontario on that. You just can't. I'd like to say that's after taxes, but the truth is I don't earn enough to pay taxes. Two-thirds of minimum wage earners don't.”

Jared Hunt, an education worker in North Bay, says he was shocked to hear the Ontario Chamber of Commerce wants the government to take away paid sick days and eliminate the minimum wage increase. “I thought the Chamber represented community interests, but now it seems they are simply parroting the big corporations that make millions of profit while paying sub-poverty wages,” he said. “Taking away the new workplace rights will harm our communities. It will affect parents and children – the kids who sit in our classroom – they will suffer the consequences of rolling back labour laws.”

Navneet Aujla, lives in Brampton, and was part of the delegation that visited MPPs Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria and Amarjot Sandhu. She says repealing Bill 148 would mean reversing new regulations for temp agencies. “That would be a disaster for workers in our community. We already have an incredibly high concentration of temp agencies in Brampton and for many workers these agencies are the main source of employment. The equal pay provisions of the new legislation – where temp agency workers have to be paid the same as their directly-hired co-workers – have made a huge difference in workers’ lives. Not only are these workers now making more money, many have been offered permanent jobs because the financial incentives for employers to keep people temporarily have been eliminated.”

Pam Frache is the Ontario Coordinator of the Fight for $15 and Fairness. She says the response today has been tremendous. “People are really excited about the $15 minimum wage and fair scheduling rules that are coming January 1,” she said. “That’s why so many of the actions today were celebrating the 15-week count-down.” But since the Ontario Chamber of Commerce publicly demanded the new government repeal our new legislation in full, there’s been a real sense of urgency. More people than ever have joined the campaign.

Ontario Federation of Labour President Chris Buckley says union members have been part of the Fight for $15 and Fairness from the beginning, and many labour councils helped organize today’s actions. “Raising the floor of wages and working conditions is as good for the economy as it is for workers,” said Buckley. “That’s why the majority of Ontarians – including people who voted for Ford – expect the government to stand with workers; they don’t want the new government to cave in to pressure from corporate elites who clearly don’t have community interests at heart.”

When workers have money in their pockets, they spend it, explains Frache. “They don’t collude to cheat workers in price-fixing schemes or put it into off-shore accounts to avoid taxes like Loblaws did. Most of us just want to earn a living that brings our head above water and offers a modest amount of security. That’s not too much to ask for.”

Frache doesn’t think it’s a contradiction that supporters of the Fight for $15 and Fairness may have voted for Ford. “A good number of people voted for Doug Ford because they really believe he is going to stand up for us against corporate elites,” she said. “This is his chance to make good on that promise.”

Christine Ilott has big plans for how she’s going to use the $15 minimum wage when it comes in on January 1. She wants to go see a movie and maybe even splurge on popcorn. She wants to visit the dentist and buy a warmer coat. “We simply must get to $15 in January. It’s not much. But it will go a long way to lifting millions of us out of poverty. It's the right thing to do – and it's time.”

Rallies took place today in the following communities:

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact:

Nil Sendil
Communications Coordinator
Fight for $15 & Fairness
[email protected] l 647-710-5795

Rob Halpin
Executive Director
Ontario Federation of Labour
[email protected] l 416-707-1094

ONTARIO, September 13, 2018 – Over 20 provincial ridings will see local actions on Saturday, September 15, kicking off the “15 Week Countdown” to Ontario’s $15 minimum wage, coming into effect on January 1, 2019.

Residents, community groups, and labour councils will be delivering a message to local MPPs asking them to stand with the people of Ontario against the attempt by corporate lobbyists to rollback Ontario’s new labour laws.

Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of Ontarians (66%) support a $15 minimum wage -- including 62% of small business owners -- Big Business is leading a campaign to cancel the $15 minimum wage and roll back the 2 paid sick days and other laws that came into effect this year.

The corporate campaign to repeal Bill 148, The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act is spearheaded by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, whose members include UBER; Loblaws Inc. (which recently confessed to price fixing); the Canadian Franchise Association which lobbies on behalf of multi-national companies like Tim Hortons, McDonalds, Pizza Pizza, etc; as well as international temp agencies like ADECCO, ACSESS and Randstad corporations.  

Actions are taking place in the following locations:

Ajax
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM -- Starbucks by Chapters, 90 Kingston Road
Together with Durham Region Labour Council we`ll be doing an outreach blitz to talk with Ajax residents. Help us send a strong message to MPP Rod Phillips.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Aurora
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM -- 238 Wellington St. East, Suite 203
Join us in doing a delegation visit to local MPP and Deputy Premier Christine Elliott. Residents of Newmarket-Aurora support $15 & Fairness and expect their representative to be a decent work champion.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Barrie
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM -- Barrie Farmers Market (Collier & Mulcaster St)
Join us to do community outreach and spread information about our new rights as workers. We will also be collecting signatures to deliver to local MPPs Andrea Khanjin and Doug Downey.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Belleville
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM -- MPP Todd Smith’s Office, 5503 Hwy 62 South
Quinte Labour Council and $15 & Fairness Kingston are hosting this joint outreach to talk to constituents in Bay of Quinte. Come and help us collect petitions to be delivered to MPP Todd Smith.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Brampton (South)
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM -- 7690 Hurontario St (Near Hurontario & Ray Lawson)
We’re meeting in front of McDonalds at 10:45 am! Come and help us collect petitions to deliver to MPP Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Brampton (West)
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM -- 15 Bovaird Dr. East (Near Hurontario & Bovaird)
We’re meeting in front of Tim Hortons at 1:45 am! Help us deliver a strong message to MPP Amarjot Sandhu by collecting signatures in support of $15 & Fairness.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Cambridge
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM -- Ainslie St. Transit Terminal, 35 Ainslie St. S
Join Waterloo Regional Labour Council in sending a message to MPP Belinda Karahalios. Cambridge residents want and support $15 & Fairness.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Cobourg
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM -- Outside MPP David Piccini’s office, 513 Division St, Unit 7
Join Northumberland Labour Council to raise awareness about our new workplace rights. Let’s call upon MPP David Piccini to be a decent work champion and ensure that our fairer labour laws are protected and extended.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Etobicoke
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM -- Humber Bay Shores Farmers Market, 2240 Lake Shore Blvd W
Meet us in front of the Pizza Plus store on the north east corner of the intersection of Lake Shore Blvd West at Legion Rd. We’ll be collecting petitions to deliver to MPP Christine Hogarth.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Guelph
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM -- Guelph City Hall
Let's assemble at City Hall to talk about our new rights at work and why they may be at stake. MPP Mike Schreiner signed the $15 & Fairness pledge to be a decent work champion during the election, we will collect petitions for him to read into the legislature.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Hamilton
11:00 AM - 12:00PM -- Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main Street W
Join Hamilton & District Labour Council for a rally and solidarity action. Let’s call upon our elected officials to prioritize our need for decent work over corporate interests.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Lindsay
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Farmers’ Market, 4 Victoria Ave. between Kent St. and Peel St.
Come out and join us as we talk to our neighbours about our new rights at work. Let’s send a message to local MPP and Minister of Labour Laurie Scott that Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock wants and supports decent work!
Click here to let us know you’ll be there!

London / St. Thomas
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM -- Horton Farmers’ Market, 10 Manitoba St, ½ Block North of Talbot St 
Join us to do community outreach and spread information about our new rights as workers. We will also be collecting signatures to deliver to MPP Jeff Yurek in the riding of Elgin-Middlesex-London.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there!

Mississauga
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM -- Morning Star Dr and Goreway Dr (South East side of Westwood Square)
Join Peel Regional Labour Council for a neighbourhood outreach in Mississauga-Malton. Together we can send a message to MPP Deepak Anand.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

North Bay
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM -- Main St W and Ferguson St
Join Nipissing Decent Work for a downtown petition canvass in North Bay, followed by a 5:00 PM neighbourhood BBQ party. Help us collect signatures to demonstrate to MPP Vic Fedeli, our communities expect a $15 minimum wage by January 1, 2019.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Oakville
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM -- Oakville Farmers Market (240 North Service Road West)
Join us to talk to our neighbours about their rights, collect signatures on our petition and remind people to contact Oakville MPP Stephen Crawford and Oakville North Burlington MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Oshawa
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM -- East side of the Oshawa Centre Mall, 419 King St W
Meet We Are Oshawa to do outreach on the east side of the Oshawa Centre Mall (by the bus loop). We will be connecting with Durham and Oshawa residents to ask them to contact their MPPs. Please call Lucian Mailloux at 289-685-7393 for more info.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Ottawa
12:30 PM -  2:00 PM -- 2249 Carling Avenue (Near Carling & Fairlawn)
Help us take our message straight from the streets to MPP Jeremy Roberts. Meet us in the parking lot outside the MPP’s office and join a postering and canvassing blitz in the neighbourhood.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Scarborough Centre
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM  -- 2063 Lawrence Ave E (Near Warden & Lawrence)
Let's talk to our fellow workers and community members in Scarborough to let them know what is at stake with our new rights at work. We’ll be collecting petitions to deliver to MPP Christina Mitas!
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Scarborough (Rouge Park)
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM -- #105-8130 Sheppard Avenue East (Near Sheppard & Morningside)
Help us spread the word in the neighbourhod to deliver a strong message to MPP Vijay Thanigasalam!
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

Toronto (Eglinton-Lawrence)
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM -- 2882 Dufferin St (Near the Glencairn Ave & Dufferin St intersection)
Join us outside the office of MPP Robin Martin to let all our neighbours know about their new rights as workers. We will also be collecting signatures to ask our provincial representative to speak out for $15 & Fairness.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

York Simcoe (Holland Landing)
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM -- 45 Grist Mill Road, Unit 8 (West of Grist Mill Park)
Join us in doing a delegation visit to local MPP Caroline Mulroney. Residents of York-Simcoe expect the new government to protect and extend our fairer labour laws.
Click here to let us know you’ll be there! Click here to share on Facebook

-30-

To arrange interviews prior to the Day of Action or for more information, please contact:

Nil Sendil
Communications Coordinator
Fight for $15 & Fairness
[email protected] l 647-710-5795

TORONTO, June 16, 2018 -- Just nine days after the Ontario election, thousands flooded the streets outside the Ministry of Labour and marched to Queen’s Park today in support of the $15 minimum wage and fairer labour laws. People came in from Niagara to Ottawa, Brampton to Oshawa, and joined the rally carrying signs that read “WE are the people” “Hands off our $15 minimum wage,” “Hands off our paid sick days,” “Hands off equal pay for equal work.” Some of Ontario’s new labour laws are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2019.

“The people of Ontario expect a $15 minimum wage on January 1, 2019 and you can see from the crowd that I am not alone,” said Yvette LeClair, a Toronto worker. “Like so many people I know, I’ve been juggling two and three jobs, with no benefits for too long. The $14 minimum wage, the right to equal pay for equal work and the paid sick days that came into effect this year are making a big difference, but I am – and millions like me are – anxiously waiting for the increase to $15 and fairer scheduling rules.”

After years of organizing by grassroots organizers and the labour movement, workers in Ontario won important labour law reforms in 2018 with the passage of Bill 148: Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act. The Fight for $15 & Fairness Campaign and the Ontario Federation of Labour held the joint rally today to send a message to the incoming government that the majority of Ontarians want and support decent work.

“During the election campaign, we heard on the doorsteps of working people that $15 is critical,” said Pam Frache, the provincial coordinator for Fight for $15 & Fairness. “So if Doug Ford is truly for the people as he claims, if he wants to stand up to the elites, he has to implement the changes our communities fought so hard for. Don’t believe the Big Business lobby. A $15 minimum wage will transfer over $5 billion in corporate profit to workers’ pockets. That’s good for workers, for our communities and for Ontario’s economy because what small businesses need most are customers.”

Co-founder of Canada’s Leap Manifesto Naomi Klein echoed Frache’s statement. “Margaret Thatcher once said: 'The lady is not for turning.' What Doug Ford is seeing today is that in Toronto, the workers are not for turning. Movements are not going to give up on the gains they have won without a fierce fight. If Ford tries to ram his austerity agenda through anyway, his base will see once and for all that he never was on their side.”

While running to be the leader of Progressive Conservative party, premier-designate Doug Ford had campaigned on cancelling the $15 minimum wage and implementing a tax cut instead. But advocates and economists alike have said this will leave workers worse off.

“Ontario’s labour movement wants to be sure one thing is clear to everyone: a $15 minimum wage is a better deal for workers than a tax cut,” said Ontario Federation of Labour President Chris Buckley. “Many minimum wage earners will not make enough money to qualify for Doug Ford's $800 tax cut. But a $15 minimum wage will put almost $2,000 more in workers’ pockets if they work full time. Our government should be lifting people out of poverty by raising the minimum wage, not taking away the pay increase they need to feed their families.”

Leaders from the business community were also at the rally, endorsing a decent work agenda for Ontario. “I am here today to represent the more than 60% of smaller business owners who support a $15 minimum wage. We know that most small businesses already pay more than minimum wage. In fact, it is the large, profitable corporations who rely most on minimum wage labour,” said Anita Agrawal, CEO, of Best Bargains Jewellery (a company listed among Canada’s top 100 women-owned businesses). “It is time to level the playing field for small business by insisting that all workers be paid at least $15 an hour,” she said. “If Doug Ford is concerned about supporting smaller businesses, then he should do something about the massive commercial rent increases that are putting more and more of us out of business.”

-30

The Ontario Federation of Labour represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.ofl.ca.

The Fight for $15 and Fairness is a growing movement of workers committed to fighting for decent work, and includes students, faculty, labour groups, health providers, anti-poverty activists and faith leaders. To learn more, visit: www.15andFairness.org.

To arrange interviews or for more information, please contact:
Nil Sendil,
Communications Coordinator
Fight for $15 & Fairness
[email protected] l 647-710-5795

Meagan Perry, 
Director of Communications 
Ontario Federation of Labour
[email protected] l 416-894-3456

TORONTO, June 13, 2018 – Thousands of Ontarians are expected to gather for the Decent Work Rally on June 16 to let the incoming government know about the widespread support for a $15 minimum wage and strong labour laws. Co-organized by the Fight for $15 & Fairness campaign and the Ontario Federation of Labour, the rally is the first public demonstration to take place since the June 7 provincial election.

After years of grassroots organizing, workers in Ontario won important labour law reforms in 2018 with the passage of Bill 148: Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act. On Saturday, speakers such as Naomi Klein will outline Ontarians’ big expectations from the newly elected government to continue delivering on a decent work agenda, including the implementation of a $15 minimum wage and fair scheduling rules on January 1, 2019.

WHEN: Saturday, June 16, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

WHERE: 1:00 pm outside the Ministry of Labour (400 University Avenue, Toronto) followed by a march to Queen’s Park

SPEAKERS:

• Naomi Klein, author of No Is Not Enough: Resisting the New Shock Politics and co-author of Canada’s Leap Manifesto
• Chris Buckley, president, Ontario Federation of Labour
• Sandy Hudson, co-founder, Black Lives Matter Toronto
• Dr. Ritika Goel, member, Decent Work and Health Network & OHIP for All
• Gobinder Singh Randhawa, chair, Ontario Sikh and Gurudwara Council
• Anita Agrawal, CEO, Best Bargains Jewellery (one of Canada’s top 100 women-owned businesses) and member, Better Way Alliance
• Sarah Jama, co-founder, Disability Justice Network of Ontario

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Visuals will include colourful handmade banners and signs, costumes, dance performances and live music.

The Ontario Federation of Labour represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.OFL.ca 

The Fight for $15 and Fairness is a growing movement of workers committed to fighting for decent work, and includes students, faculty, labour groups, health providers, anti-poverty activists and faith leaders. To learn more, visit: www.15andFairness.org

-30-

To arrange interviews prior to or at the rally, and for more information, please contact:

Nil Sendil
Communications Coordinator
Fight for $15 & Fairness
[email protected] l 647-710-5795

(TORONTO, ON) -- Today, workers at university and college campuses across Ontario are mobilizing to promote and enforce equal pay for part-time, contract, casual, seasonal and temporary workers.

“The new laws that came into effect on April 1 are all about promoting decent work with hours that workers can live on,” said Kimberly Ellis-Hale a contract professor at Wilfrid Laurier University and member of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) Contract Faculty Committee. “Precarious employment proliferates when the law allows employers to pay part-time or temporary workers less than their full-time co-workers. Too many employers have been creating part-time or contract jobs even when there is enough work to create more full-time, secure employment.”

The trend toward part-time insecure work can be seen at Ontario’s universities and colleges, where part-time and contract employment has far outstripped full-time employment. “Contract faculty, with low pay, few benefits and no job security, now do the bulk of teaching because their labour is cheaper,” said RM Kennedy, Chair of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) College Faculty Division. “We’re also seeing the same trend toward precarious work for the staff who support and maintain our post-secondary system. Too many part-time support staff and contract faculty are getting lower pay for the same work as their full-time colleagues. It’s time to close this gap.”

“Workers of colour and newcomer workers are over-represented among those working involuntarily in part-time employment,” said Alia Karim a student leader with the Fight for $15 & Fairness at York University. “As a result, these same workers earn less, receive fewer benefits, and are short-changed on holiday pay. By addressing such unfair treatment, the new laws will go a long way toward closing the growing pay equity gap.”

“Another important equal pay win for workers in the new legislation is public holiday pay,” said Deena Ladd, Coordinator of the Workers’ Action Centre. “The old formula for calculating holiday pay meant that many part-time workers received as little as one-tenth the daily pay of their full-time co-workers when they worked on a statutory holiday. The new laws eliminate this financial incentive for employers to rely on part-time work instead of offering full-time jobs.”

“The first step in enforcing and protecting our legislative victories is making sure that post-secondary workers, including students, staff and faculty, know what the laws are and how to access them,” said Pam Frache, coordinator of the Fight for $15 & Fairness. “April 4 is just one of many upcoming actions to highlight, enforce and extend our legislative rights.”

Under the revised Employment Standards Act, employers are now required to offer the same rate of pay to part-time, contract, casual, temporary and seasonal employees, who are doing substantially the same work in the same workplaces as their full-time, permanent counterparts. The same standards apply to temporary agency workers who are doing substantially the same work, in the same workplaces as directly-hired employees of the client company.

-30-

The Fight for $15 and Fairness is a growing network of workers committed to fighting for decent work, and includes students, faculty, labour, health providers, temp agency workers, minimum wage earners, anti-poverty groups and faith leaders. To learn more, visit: 15andFairness.org.

For more information or to arrange interviews:

Pam Frache, Ontario Coordinator, Fight for $15 and Fairness           416-578-3472

Thunder Bay:      Lakehead University              Laurie Forbes              807-343-8966

Kingston:             St. Lawrence College             Grant Currie                 613-893-2505

St. Catharines:   Brock University                      Quinn Ascah               905-933-2358

Kitchener:            Conestoga College                Lana-Lee Hardacre    519 501-0994

Waterloo:             Wilfrid Laurier University       Kimberly Ellis-Hale     519-574-0402

Guelph:                University of Guelph              Janice Folk-Dawson  519-766-8376

Scarbrough:        Scarborough Town Centre   Linda Bernard             647-299-53870

Toronto:               York University                        Alia Karim                     647-915-0766

                              Seneca College at York         Anna Ainsworth          647-832-7002

                              Ryerson University                 Rajean Hoilett              289-923-3534

                              Centennial College                RM Kennedy               416-346-8382

(TORONTO, ON) -- On February 13, Valentine’s cards with messages of love and solidarity – as well as information about new workers’ rights from the Ministry of Labour – will be hand-delivered to hundreds of Tim Hortons outlets across Ontario.

Everyone can play cupid this February 13. To participate in the day of action and download the special valentine’s card, click here.

While millions of workers are benefiting from labour law improvements that came into effect on January 1, 2018, workers at Tim Hortons continue to face reprisals at the hands of parent company Restaurant Brands International.

The February 13 day of action is part of an ongoing campaign to win a $15 minimum wage and fair working conditions for all workers. The campaign is committed to further legislative changes that can curb the kinds of abuse experienced by frontline workers at Tim Hortons.

Representatives from the Ontario Federation of Labour and the Fight for $15 & Fairness Campaign will kick off the day with deliveries at the following locations:

8:00 AM
Meet at the Tim Hortons at 246 Bloor Street West
(Northwest corner of Bedford & Bloor)

    Media availability:
    Chris Buckley, President, Ontario Federation of Labour
    Deena Ladd, Coordinator, Workers’ Action Centre
    Media Contact -- Jared Ong, cell: 647-273-5285

8:00 AM
Meet at the Tim Hortons at 2150 Bloor Street West
(Northeast corner of Glendonwynne Rd and Bloor)
Media contact -- Brynne Sinclair-Waters, cell: 647-226-7184

10:30 AM
Meet at the Tim Hortons at 335 Parliament Street
(Northeast Corner of Dundas & Parliament)
Deena Ladd, Fight for $15 and Fairness
Media contact -- Deena Ladd, cell:416-836-2379

10:30 AM
Meet at the Tim Hortons at 444 Yonge Street
(Southwest corner of College & Yonge)
Media contact -- Beixi Liu, cell: 647-269-1963

Tim Hortons valentine’s visits will take place in 30+ cities across Ontario, to arrange local interviews please contact the following event organizers who have media availability:

The following regional community and labour organizations are also leading events as part of the Tim Hortons Day of Action, and they can be reached for comment:

-30-

For further information and to arrange interviews:

Meagan Perry, Communications Director, Ontario Federation of Labour
Email: [email protected] l 416-948-5720

Nil Sendil, Communications Coordinator, Fight for $15 & Fairness
[email protected]  l 647-710-5795

Toronto, ONTARIO – Don’t believe the spin from the business press. That’s the message coming from the $15 and Fairness campaign.

According to Pam Frache, Coordinator of the Fight for $15 and Fairness, the Statistics Canada data released on February 9 show provinces that have significantly increased their minimum wage rates in 2017 are doing better than they were this time last year. What’s more, she says, these provinces are actually outperforming their lower-wage counterparts, as their unemployment rates are declining most quickly among the provinces.

Here’s what the Statistics Canada data actually say:

Canada has added 289,000 jobs while the total number of hours worked has increased by nearly three percent (2.8%). The national unemployment rate, meanwhile, has declined by 0.8 percentage points, dropping from 6.7 to 5.9 percent.

In Ontario, unemployment is falling even faster.

The data show employment in Ontario grew by 104,000 jobs year over year and the unemployment rate declined by 0.9 percentage points to 5.5% – a rate of decline that is tied for the second-fastest among provinces. While there were slightly fewer part-time jobs in January 2018 compared to January 2017, these declines were substantially outweighed by a gain of more than 150,000 full-time jobs – a sign of a strengthening labour market. These improvements took place at the same time employers were preparing for the January 1, 2018 minimum wage increase to $14.

In Alberta – the first province to chart a path to a $15 minimum wage – employment rose by 46,000 year over year, as large gains in full-time jobs more than outweighed the modest decline in part-time jobs. Alberta’s unemployment rate has fallen by 1.7 percentage points since January of last year – by far the largest decline among the six provinces with falling unemployment rates during the period.

By contrast, New Brunswick – a province with one of Canada’s lowest minimum wage rates at $11.00 – experienced an absolute drop of 5,800 in the number of jobs, pushing the unemployment rate 0.2 percentage points higher to 9.1 percent. The other three Atlantic provinces – all of which have minimum wage rates well below $12 per hour – also saw rising unemployment rates.

In Manitoba, where the minimum wage is a mere $11.15, the province experienced a small increase in part-time jobs year over year, partially offset by a decline in full-time jobs. The unemployment rate of 5.6 percent was just 0.3 percentage points lower than the previous year.

“Clearly, the data released today suggest that raising minimum wages does not lead to job loss, but in fact can contribute to a stronger economy through increased demand,” said Frache. “Moreover, raising minimum wages has a large, direct, positive impact on the incomes of low-wage workers. Suggesting otherwise is intellectually dishonest and ideologically driven.”

The Fight for $15 and Fairness is comprised of hundreds of community, labour, student and faith organizations across Ontario. http://www.15andfairness.org/ 

For more information and to arrange interviews, contact:
Pam Frache, cell: 416-578-3472 or email: [email protected]

TO: Mr. Daniel Schwartz,
CEO Restaurant Brands International

We are here today to formally request that as Chief Executive Officer of Restaurant Brands International (RBI) Inc.– the parent company of Tim Hortons, you take the immediate steps required to ensure that Tim Hortons franchise owners respect the spirit of, as well as comply with, labour laws in Ontario.

Specifically we have two demands:

1. We want the full restoration of wages, paid breaks and benefits to the workers at Tim Hortons restaurants across your entire chain.
2. We want a guarantee from RBI that ensures that any future minimum wage increase does not result in deterioration of employee earnings and working conditions at Tim Hortons franchises.  

As CEO of RBI, you have the power to take the necessary  steps to ensure that your company and Tim Hortons franchise owners comply with Ontario’s new labour laws and that no workers face any deterioration of their wage and labour standards. 

Our delegation represents many community and labour organizations fighting against poverty and advocating for improved and fair working conditions on behalf of all working people in the province. Like millions of Ontarians, many of whom are your customers, we were disgusted last week to learn that many Tim Hortons franchise owners had taken steps to eliminate paid meal and coffee breaks, reduce basic drug and dental benefits, eliminate uniform and drink allowances as well as cut hours of work.  

These actions against minimum wage earners are particularly galling in light of the “Canadian Values” branding that Tim Hortons trades upon. We are aware of the corporate structure at RBI where the parent company, Tim Hortons Corporation, dictates nearly every detail of a franchise-owner’s business practice. We understand that franchise owners must have a net worth of at least $1.5 million to be awarded a franchise. We are also aware that pricing structures are set at the corporate level, and that your parent organization, RBI, has the means and methods to ensure that franchise operators respect the law and follow policies and procedures set forth by the parent corporation.

Until benefits and paid coffee breaks are restored along with previous labour practices, such as the payment of shift premiums for overnight shifts and allowing servers the ability to receive tips instead of forcing workers to remit them to the owner of the franchise – we will be relentless in our efforts to draw attention and will continue to be critical of the predatory labour practices at Tim Hortons Restaurants across Ontario. 

Customers across Canada are very concerned and are watching to see how your company responds. On January 19^th, many national, provincial and local organizations are moving forward in organizing a National Day of Action to support Tim Hortons workers impacted by the cuts to wages and benefits.

Failure to meet our basic demands will further escalate actions across Ontario and Canada.

Respectfully,

Paramjit Baring, President, Brampton Seniors Club

Ahmad Gaied, Executive Vice-President, Ontario Federation of Labour

Mohammed Hashim, Toronto and York Region Labour Council

Deena Ladd, Workers’ Action Centre and Fight for $15 and Fairness Campaign

Dr. Jesse McLaren, Emergency Doctor, Decent Work and Health Network

Dave Miller, President, Oakville District Labour Council

Jim McDowell, President, Peel Regional District Labour Council

Leena Sharma, Halton Poverty Roundtable

Dave Thomas, President, UNIFOR Local 707

Iqbal Sumbal, Trustee for the Gurdwara Sikh Leher

Jeff Ward, Co-chair, Halton Poverty Roundtable

In more than 15 communities across Ontario, actions will be organized on January 10^thoutside Tim Hortons stores to demand that the corporation not roll back workers’ wages and benefits.

When Ontario’s minimum wage increased to $14, many Tim Hortons stores immediately began to eliminate workers’ paid breaks, reduce access to basic drug and dental benefits, eliminate uniform and drink allowances, and even cut employees’ hours of work.

This is outrageous coming from a hugely profitable multinational company. The Tim Hortons corporation dictates virtually every detail of the franchise-owner’s business practice. It even stipulates the required net worth (at least $1.5 million) of any potential franchise owner. As the supplier of Tim Hortons products, the corporation sets the price of everything from sugar to its pre-cooked donuts. It’s clear the parent corporation has the power to fully restore workers’ wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Ontario’s new labour laws, which were introduced on January 1^st, were intended to improve the wages and working conditions of the lowest paid workers in the province. Ontario Federation of Labour and the Fight for $15 & Fairness Campaign are holding this joint day of action todemand that Restaurant Brands International (parent company of Tim Hortons) takes whatever steps necessary to ensure that its workers` wages and working conditions are protected.

Quick Facts:

• In 2016, Tim Hortons generated US$3.00 billion in revenue for its parent company Restaurant Brands International (RBI).
• That same year RBI CEO Daniel Schwartz pocketed $6,173,993 in wages, stock options and other perks.
• An additional US$350 million in profits were given out to shareholders.

List of Actions for January 10:

Cobourg
5:00 PM - Dundas & Elgin St (970 Division St) 
Media contact: John MacDonald, President, Durham Region Labour Council, 905-424-2776

Dundas (near Hamilton)
5:00 PM - Cootes& York Rd (38 York Rd)
Media contact: Anthony Marco, President, Hamilton & District Labour Council, 905-515-6486

Guelph
5:00 PM - Victoria & York (212 Victoria Rd South) 
Media contact: Janice Folk-Dawson, President, Guelph & District Labour Council, 519-766-8376

London
3:00 PM - Dundas & Richmond (172-174 Dundas St)
Media contact: Patti Dalton, President, London & District Labour Council, 519-494-3901

Ottawa
12:00 PM – Sparks & Bank (200 Sparks St)
Media contact: Karen Cocq, Ottawa Fight for $15 & Fairness Chapter, 647-970-8464

Peterborough
4:30 PM - Lansdowne St & Monaghan Rd (898 Monaghan Rd)
Media contact: Marion Burton, President, Peterborough & District Labour Council, 705-868-7352

Toronto
8:00 AM - Markham & Lawrence (3488 Lawrence Ave E) 
Media contact: John Cartwright, President, Toronto & York Region Labour Council, 416-999-5663

8:00 AM – Keele & Wilson (2708 Keele St) 
Media contact: John Cartwright, President, Toronto & York Region Labour Council, 416-999-5663

8:00 AM – Spadina & College (455 Spadina Ave) 
Media contact: John Cartwright, President, Toronto & York Region Labour Council, 416-999-5663

8:00 AM - Bloor & Dufferin (1094 Bloor St West) 
Media contact: Pam Frache, Campaign Coordinator, Fight for $15 & Fairness, 416-578-3472

9:00 AM – Eglinton & Bermondsey (1733 Eglinton Ave E)
Media contact:Rob Halpin, Executive Director, Ontario Federation of Labour, 416-707-9014

12:00 PM -University ofToronto, Bloor & St. George (264 Bloor St W) 
Media contact: Souzan Mirza, University of Toronto $15 & Fairness Chapter, 416-729-3172

2:30 PM - York University, Keele & Steeles (4700 Keele St) 
Media contact: Alex Hunsberger, York University $15 & Fairness Chapter, 416-995-2870

4:30 PM - Yonge & College (444 Yonge St) 
Media contact: Jessica Sikora, OPSEU Executive Board Member, 647-444-5734

4:30 PM - Bloor & Spadina (334 Bloor St W)
Media contact: Pam Frache, Campaign Coordinator,  Fight for $15 & Fairness, 416-578-3472

5:00 PM – Queen & Lansdowne (1480 Queen St W)
Media contact: Mary Gellatly, Parkdale Community Legal Services, 416-833-9510

Windsor
10:00 AM - Park Street East &Goyeau (80 Park St E) 
Media contact:Brian Hogan, President, Windsor & District Labour Council, 519-999-4418

The OFL represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.OFL.ca
The Fight for $15 & Fairness is a campaign supported by community, labour, student and faith groups across Ontario. For more information, visit 15andfairness.org

-30-

For further information contact:

Rob Halpin
Executive Director
Ontario Federation of Labour
[email protected] l 416-707-9014

Nil Sendil
Communications Coordinator
Fight for $15 & Fairness
[email protected] l 647-710-5795