TORONTO, December 27, 2017 -- Ringing in the new year has taken a new meaning for millions of workers across Ontario, who are eagerly counting down to January 1^st when a host of labour law reforms, including a $14 minimum wage, will come into effect.

“For most people in this province, wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living, whether it is skyrocketing rents, childcare fees or transportation costs,” said Uthaiya Singham who will benefit from the raise to $14. “This increase in the minimum wage will make a huge difference for many people’s ability to buy groceries and keep a roof over their head.”

After years of community organizing spearheaded by the Fight for $15 & Fairness Campaign, Bill 148: Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act became law last month and is being phased in over the next year. On January 1^st, 2018:

• Adult general minimum wage will increase to $14.00 from $11.60.
  • Minimum wage for students under the age 18 will increase to $13.15 from $10.90.
  • Minimum wage for liquor servers will increase to $12.20 from $10.10.
• 10 days of job-protected, emergency leave will be extended to all workers, 2 of which will be paid (a first in Canada).
  • Workers will become eligible for this leave provision after just 1 week on the job.
  • Doctor’s note requirement will be removed.

“Addressing poverty is crucial for the health of our communities, and a $14 minimum wage takes us one step closer to bringing people above the poverty line,” said Dr. Andrew Pinto, who is a member of the Decent Work and Health Network. “The increased minimum wage and new paid emergency leave days will make it a little easier for workers to fill their prescriptions and get the medical care they need, but as health providers, we know that more is needed.”

As part of Bill 148, the general minimum wage is set to increase to $15 on January 1^st, 2019, but Big Business Lobbyists are continuing their fear-mongering campaign to delay the phase-in.

“Anyone who is still calling to delay $15 minimum wage needs to take a good hard look in the mirror, because what they are essentially supporting is keeping workers, and their families, in poverty,” said Deena Ladd, coordinator of the Workers’ Action Centre. “That is not an option.”

For media inquiries, contact: Deena Ladd
Email: [email protected] Cell: 416-836-2379 Learn more: 15andfairness.org

Bill 148: Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act passed third reading today, making Ontario the 4^th state across North America to adopt $15 minimum wage legislation.

“The $15 minimum wage will put money where it is deserved and most needed, into workers’ pockets,” said Navi Aujla, who is an organizer in Brampton with the Fight for $15 & Fairness campaign and a former temp agency worker. “Together with paid emergency days, fairer scheduling and equal pay for equal work measures; $15 will make a real difference for our communities who fought so hard for this victory.”

Pending royal assent, Bill 148 will:

• Raise Ontario’s general minimum wage to $14 by January 1^st 2018, $15 by January 1^st 2019 and implement annual cost of living adjustments thereafter.
• Extend 10 days of job protected, emergency leave to all workers, of which 2 will be paid – a first in Canada.
• Provide equal pay for equal work for full-time, part-time, casual and temporary agency workers.
• Introduce fairer scheduling, including 3 hours of pay for on-call employees who aren’t called in, and for workers whose shifts get cancelled with less than 48 hours of notice.
• Make it easier for cleaners, security guards, homecare and community service workers to join unions. And these workers will also have better protection against contract flipping.

Since Bill 148 was first introduced in spring 2017, Big Business Lobbyists have led a fear-mongering campaign to erode the bill, including calling for a slower phase-in for the $15 minimum wage. Prior to the third reading vote, Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown pledged to delay the phase-in until 2022 if he wins the 2018 provincial election.

“Let’s be clear. Delaying $15 means only one thing and that is keeping workers in poverty. It is shameful for any politician to defend the interests of corporations over working families,” said Deena Ladd, coordinator of the Workers’ Action Centre. “The Fight for $15 & Fairness campaign organized tirelessly to make Bill 148 as strong as possible, our job is not done until all workers have at least $15 an hour and fairness at work.”

The Fight for $15 & Fairness Campaign launched on April 15, 2015 with a province-wide day of action demanding a $15 minimum wage, as well as sweeping labour law reforms. Since then, a broad coalition of health providers, faith leaders, students, unions, economists, teachers and community groups, have led this growing movement for decent work.

For media inquiries, contact: Nil Sendil, Communications, Fight for $15 & Fairness Campaign
Tel. (cell): 647-710- 5795 Email: [email protected] Learn more: 15andfairness.org

Fight for $15 & Fairness Campaign organizers will be available to comment on Bill 148: Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act during the clause-by-clause review of the act taking place at Queen’s Park today.

The bill proposes several key labour law reforms, including: a $15 minimum wage to be phased in by January 1, 2019; 10 emergency leave days for everyone, 2 of which will be paid; and measures to make it easier for workers to join unions.

During the final round of public hearings on Bill 148, a wide variety of stakeholders deputed in support of the legislation, including several small business owners. Additionally, a broad coalition of community and labour groups, including faith leaders, health providers, students, union leaders and disability advocates endorsed the amendments put forward by the Fight for $15 & Fairness.

Spokespeople from the campaign will be closely watching the deliberations of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as they consider final amendments to Bill 148 today, and are available for comment.  For more information and to schedule an interview, please contact:

Deena Ladd, Coordinator of the Workers’ Action Centre
Cell: 416-836-2379     Email: [email protected]

Mary Gellatly, Community Legal Worker at Parkdale Community Legal Services
Cell: 416-833-9510     Email: [email protected]

To learn more about the Fight for $15 & Fairness Campaign, visit: http://www.15andfairness.org/

Today, students, staff and faculty on campuses across Ontario will be kicking off a campaign to demand that university and college presidents distance their institutions from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Colleges Ontario and the Council of Ontario Universities are both members of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and many institutions are part of locally-based Chambers. The full text of the letter is available here: FairnessNOW.ca.

“I was surprised to learn that York University is implicated in the Ontario Chamber of Commerce campaign against the $15 minimum wage, equal pay, greater union rights, fairer scheduling and more,” said Alia Karim, campaigns coordinator for the Graduate Students’ Association at York University (YUGSA), referring to the Chamber’s ‘Keep Ontario Working’ campaign. “The campaign implies that fair wages and working conditions will put people out of work – but the latest academic research does not support this claim. York University should not legitimize this kind of fear-mongering, especially since it is contrary to the interests of students, staff, faculty and the broader community. That’s why we are calling on our university to explicitly distance itself from the Chamber of Commerce and to support the campaign for a $15 minimum wage and fairer labour laws for all.”

Humber College student Paula Greenberg will be rallying in support of Ontario college faculty on November 15. She sees a connection between the College Employer Council’s refusal to provide equal pay and benefits for part-time college faculty and its involvement with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce campaign that would deny a $15 minimum wage and decent work for everyone. “I’m not just a student, I’m a worker too. I’ve been in minimum wage jobs and struggled to makes ends meet while saving for school. We all need to stand together to say enough is enough. Our publicly-funded colleges should not be campaigning against our interests whether we are students, staff or faculty.”

“History shows that big business has opposed every change in labour laws that benefit workers. Even the phrase ‘too much, too soon’ was recycled from 1963 when the Canadian Restaurant Association opposed a general minimum wage,” says Frankie Cachon, a contract professor at the University of Windsor. She supports the Fight for $15 and Fairness and agrees that publicly-funded institutions should not be participating in political campaigns that run contrary to the public interest. “The fact that universities and colleges are increasing their reliance on precarious, part-time faculty while allowing the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to speak on their behalf against equitable labour laws, should be a real concern for all Ontarians.”

“The vast majority of Ontarians support a minimum wage of at least $15 and better working conditions for all,” says Quinn Ascah a student at Brock University in St. Catharines. “Public post-secondary institutions are accountable to the communities they serve. They should welcome wages that bring people out of poverty and support laws that curb the rise of precarious employment.”

YUGSA’s Alia Karim noted that earlier this year, more than 50 leading Canadian economists issued a public statement in support of the proposed $15 minimum wage. “Why our post-secondary institutions would be part of a campaign that undermines academic research is beyond me.”

For more information about local Challenge the Chamber actions contact:

• Brynne Sinclair-Waters (Ontario)                   [email protected]  (647) 226-7184
• Quinn Ascah (St. Catharines - Brock University) [email protected]                 (905) 933-2358
• Frankie Cachon (University of Windsor)            [email protected]            (519) 965-9835
• Melriva Martins (Hamilton - McMaster University) [email protected]       (647) 378-2050

Toronto:

• Paula Greenberg (Humber College)                  [email protected] (416) 843-3349
• Rajean Hoilett (Ryerson University)                   [email protected]                    (289) 923-3534
• Alia Karim (York University)                               [email protected]                          (647) 970-0854
• Shervin Shojaei (University of Toronto)             [email protected]

Religious leaders from multiple faith communities will host a joint press conference at the Queen's Park Media Studio on Tuesday, May 30 at 9:00 a.m. to urge the Ontario Government to make decent work legislation a priority in 2017.

Spiritual leaders will speak to their personal experience with witnessing the negative impact of precarious working conditions on members of their communities. They will also outline the legislative changes they wish to see, including a $15 minimum wage, 7 paid sick days, fair scheduling, equal pay for equal work provisions, as well as easier access to unionization.

Since spring 2015, the Ministry of Labour has conducted a comprehensive review of all laws that govern work in Ontario. The final recommendations of the Changing Workplaces Review were released on May 23, but the government has yet to take action.

Close to 200 faith leaders from across the province are calling on the government to adopt the demands of the $15 & Fairness campaign, and table legislation without further delay to ensure decent work for all.

The speakers will be available for interviews and photo opportunity following the press conference.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

For immediate release:  

TORONTO, September 29, 2016 – Thousands of workers from across Ontario will gather at Queen’s Park on October 1^st to kick off Decent Work Week celebrations by calling for $15 and Fairness for all workers.

When: ......................... Saturday, October 1, 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Where: ........................ 12:30 pm: Northwest corner of College Street & University Avenue 1:00 pm: Queen’s Park

Photo opportunity: .... Visuals will include colourful banners, costumes, performances, art pieces

Interview opportunity: Erendira Bravo, Construction worker

...................................... Marjorie Knight, Community advocate

Deb Henry, Grocery store worker

Kristina Torres, Migrant caregiver

“Through the Changing Workplaces Review, the Ontario Government has an important opportunity to deliver fairness for Ontario workers. We need extensive legislative changes to update Ontario’s labour laws and to help make work better for all of us,” says Marjorie Knight a student and worker who will be traveling to the rally from Kitchener.

The Fight for $15 & Fairness is calling for sweeping reforms, including fair scheduling; further regulating temporary agencies; investing in pro-active, public enforcement of employment laws; imposing meaningful fines for labour law infractions; legislating seven paid sick days; an end to contract flipping; easier access to unions and a $15 minimum wage.

“October 1 is important because Ontario’s minimum wage will be adjusted by 15 cents to keep up with price increases as measured by the Consumer Price Index,” says Deb Henry, a retail worker from Toronto. “While indexation is essential, you need to realize a full-time worker earning $11.40 per hour will still be 16% below Ontario’s poverty line. We need at least $15 an hour.”

According to the Fight for $15 and Fairness, exemptions and loopholes in the Employment Standards Act (ESA) mean that far too many workers won’t receive even $11.40 an hour. Gayle McFadden, National Executive Representative of Canadian Federation of Students, says: “Students under the age of 18 are paid 70 cents less, and liquor servers are paid even worse. There should be equal pay for equal work, full stop.”

According to the Fight for $15 and Fairness, less than 25 percent of all workers are now fully protected by the ESA. "People like us are left out. There are too many exemptions in the laws that make migrant workers vulnerable. We are terrified of speaking out even when we do have rights because of the risk of deportation" says caregiver Kristina Torres, part of a group of migrant workers from the Migrant Workers Alliance who will be dressed up as robots on October 1. "We are human beings, we all deserve full rights, and without them we are treated like machines." 

“Whether we are unionized or not, we need fairer rules that protect all of us, no matter if we work full-time or part-time, casual, temporary, or as sub-contractors,” says Erendira Bravo, a construction worker. “And we need pro-active enforcement. Without that, the most vulnerable workers will not receive the wages and protections they are entitled to under the law. That’s what we mean when we say we need $15 and Fairness.”

-30-

Porte-parole français disponible

For further information contact:

Nil Sendil, Communications Coordinator, Fight for $15 & Fairness
[email protected]

Tel. (cell):  647-710-5795 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto – On Friday, April 15 labour and community organizations across Ontario are uniting to call for decent work. These actions are taking place in advance of the first report of the province’s Changing Workplaces Review. For over a year, two advisors appointed by the Ministry of Labour have been engaging Ontarians about needed changes to the laws that govern work and workplaces. Their first report is expected soon.

“Ontarians have big expectations for this review,” said Pam Frache, provincial Fight for $15 & Fairness coordinator. “Whether it’s parents trying to make ends meet on poverty wages, recent graduates struggling to pay student debt on short-term contracts, temp workers with no guarantee of hours, workers losing their wages and benefits when contracts flip, or unfair exemptions that leave some workers with no protection at all – more and more Ontarians are saying: Enough – we need changes now!”

The Fight for $15 & Fairness is calling for sweeping reforms, including fair scheduling; further regulating temporary agencies; investing in pro-active, public enforcement of employment laws; imposing meaningful fines for labour law infractions; legislating seven paid sick days; an end to contract flipping; easier access to unions and more. Central in the campaign is the demand for a $15 minimum wage for all workers, regardless of age, student status, job or area of work.

Community and labour groups are organizing actions in the following communities:

Barrie
Visiting MPP Ann Hoggarth’s office
3:30 p.m. - Canadian Tire at 320 Bayfield Street
For media inquiries, contact Jessica Burnie 705-726-1722 x225 

Brampton
Airport Workers Rally GTAA
3:00 p.m. - 3111 Convair Drive, Greater Toronto Airports Authority
For media inquiries, contact Dan Janssen, cell: 416-529-3376

Hamilton
Action blitz
12:00 p.m. - McDonald’s at Delta on 1268 King Street East
For media inquiries, contact Caitlin Craven, cell: 289-683-0082

Kingston
Action blitz
10:00 a.m. - In front Stauffer Library at University and Union
For media inquiries, contact Doug Nesbitt, cell: 613-929-3464

Visiting MPP Sophie Kiwala's office
12:00 p.m. - 303 Bagot Street (Bagot & Princess)
For media inquiries, contact Tara Kainer 613-544-4525 x113

Guelph
Action blitzes
11:00 a.m. - Old Quebec Street Mall: main entrance

3:30 p.m. - Willow West Mall: No Frills entrance. 

For info and media inquiries, contact Janice Folk-Dawson, cell: 519-766-8376

Kitchener/Waterloo
March
11:30 a.m. - Victoria Park downtown Kitchener
For media inquiries, contact Marjorie-Ann Knight, cell: 519-277-6145

London
Visiting MPP Deb Matthews’ office
4:00 p.m. - Richmond and Piccadilly
For media inquiries, contact Patti Dalton, cell: 519-494-3901

Mississauga
Visiting MPP Charles Sousa’s office
4:00 p.m. - 120 Lakeshore Rd West (Port Credit)
For media inquiries, contact Jim McDowell, cell: 416-587-8809; Felipe Pareja, cell: 647-203-2611; or Scott O'Donohue, cell: 416-417-5561

Niagara
Visiting MPP Jim Bradley’s office
10:00 a.m. - 2 Secord Drive, Unite 2, St Catharines
For media inquiries, contact Sue Hotte, cell: 905-932-1646

North Bay
Sidewalk solidarity action
12:30 p.m. - 120 Lakeshore Drive
For media inquiries, contact Jared Hunt, cell: 705-845-8265

Oshawa
Visiting MPP Jennifer French’s office
3:00 p.m. - 78 Centre Street North, Unit 2
For media inquiries, contact Tiffany Balducci, cell: 905-391-1571

Ottawa
Rally & March
12:00 p.m. - Oscar Peterson Statue – corner of Elgin St and Mackenzie King Bridge
For media inquiries, contact Karen Cocq, cell: 647-970-8464

Peterborough
Rally & Visiting MPP Jeff Leal’s office
3:00 p.m. - 236 King Street
For info and media inquiries, contact Suzanne Wheeler, cell: 705-808-0922

Sudbury
Visiting MPP Glenn Thibeault’s office & March
12:00 p.m. - 555 Barrydowne Road
For media inquiries contact, Nicole Beaulieu, cell: 705-470-3323

Toronto Actions

Health provider leaflet blitz
7:30 a.m. - Dufferin Subway Station, North-West corner of Bloor and Dufferin
For media inquiries contact, Kate Hayman, cell: 519-860-9866 and Danyaal Raza, cell: 647-779-4705

Young workers & students feeder march
11:45 a.m. - North-West corner of College and University

For media inquiries contact, Brynne Sinclair-Waters, cell: 647-226-7184

OPSEU march to the Ministry of Labour
12:00 p.m. - Metro Toronto Convention Centre
For media inquiries contact, Myles Magner, cell: 416-427-2606

Rally at the Ministry of Labour
12:30 p.m. - 400 University Avenue
For media inquiries contact, Nil Sendil, cell: 647-710-5795

Airport Workers Rally GTAA
3:00 p.m. - 3111 Convair Drive, Greater Toronto Airports Authority
For media inquiries, contact Dan Janssen, cell: 416-529-3376

                                                                        -30-

For further information contact:

Nil Sendil, Communications Coordinator, Fight for $15 & Fairness

Cell: 647-710-5795 or [email protected]

Joel Duff, Communications Coordinator, Ontario Federation of Labour
Cell: 416-707-0349 or [email protected] *ENGLISH/FRENCH*

For French language interviews contact:

Nicole Beaulieu, cell: 705-470-3323

Roxanne Dubois, cell: 416-371-3716

Health providers will leave their clinics and community health centres for an hour on Thursday, November 19, to engage in an outreach blitz about the need for legislated paid sick days for every Ontario worker.

Current labour laws leave Ontarians without protection when they get sick. Too many workers have to risk losing their job or pay in order to take a day off. Health workers and advocates warn that working while sick poses serious public health concerns including the transmission of infectious diseases and worsening of minor conditions.  They are calling upon the Ministry of Labour to solve the problem at its root by updating employment laws which are currently under review.

Emergency physician Kate Hayman says: "The cost of not having paid sick day legislation is higher than one might imagine. As an Emergency Room physician I see this daily. When workers postpone the care that they need because they are not protected by law, the health consequences can be dire."

Kwame McKenzie, CEO of the Wellesley Institute explains: “We are asked to stay at home if we have flu.  We are discharged early from hospital to recover at home so the bed can be used for someone who is sicker. We are asked to do this as responsible members of society.  For everyone to be able to meet their responsibilities we need paid sick days.”

What:                    Outreach Blitz, Photo Opportunity and Interview Availability

Where:                 Corner of College Street and University Avenue

When:                  November 19, 2015 12:30 p.m.

Health providers are speaking up for paid sick days as part of the Fight for $15 & Fairness Campaign. For more information click here. Health Providers Against Poverty is a province wide alliance of health providers who are committed to addressing poverty as a health issue. The Association of Ontario Health Centres  (AOHC) is Ontario’s voice for community-governed primary health care representing 109 organizations.

Porte-parole français disponible

-30-

For further information contact:

Nil Sendil, Communications Coordinator, Fight for $15 & Fairness

Tel.  (cell):  647-710-5795

Representatives from Health Providers Against Poverty and the Association of Ontario Health Centres will hold a press conference at Queen’s Park on Thursday, November 5 to call for legislated paid sick days for all workers.

As the Ontario government’s Changing Workplaces Review continues, health sector leaders have mobilized to demand changes to employment standards . No worker in Ontario has a legislated right to a paid sick day. In addition, more than 1.6 million workers have no access to job protected emergency leave.

With the start of the flu season, the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care will soon warn people to stay home when sick. But under the province’s current sick day policies too many workers are forced to go to work sick in order to avoid losing pay.

What: Press conference, Photo Opportunity and Interview Availability

Where: Queen’s Park Media Studio, Ontario Legislature

When: November 5, 2015 12:30 p.m.

Who:                 

• Dr. Andrew Pinto, Health Providers Against Poverty. Public Health Specialist and Scientist at St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto
• Axelle Janczur, Executive Director, Access Alliance Community Health Centre
• Dr. Danyaal Raza, Family Physician at Sumac Creek Health Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto. Advisory Board Member, Upstream

Photo Opportunity:  The speakers will unveil a public statement signed by over 700 health care workers.

Interview Availability: An emergency doctor, and workers with firsthand experience of the challenges that result from unpaid sick days will be available for media interviews.


Health Providers Against Poverty is a province wide alliance of health providers who are committed to addressing poverty as a health issue. The Association of Ontario Health Centres  (AOHC) is Ontario’s voice for community-governed primary health care representing 109 organizations. Upstream is a not-for-profit organization that works with the growing body of evidence on social determinants to guide recommendations for health policy change

Porte-parole français disponible

                                                                -30-

For further information contact:

Jacquie Maund, Association of Ontario Health Centres

[email protected]  Tel. 647-294-5724