What an energy-packed Decent Work Rally we had last Saturday when nearly 2,000 people joined us on the streets of Toronto! Supporters like yourself travelled all the way from Ottawa, Hamilton, Brampton and so many other cities to come out to the biggest public demonstration since the Ontario election. Keeping in time to the tempo of Brazillian drums and beatbox rhythms we chanted in unison: “Hands off our $15 minimum wage,” “Hands off our paid sick days,” “Hands off equal pay for equal work.”

Check out more photos from the rally

When Doug Ford was running to be the leader of the Conservative Party, he campaigned on cancelling the $15 minimum wage, and implementing a tax cut instead. Economists have exposed that a tax cut would only save minimum wage earners $800 while an increase to $15 would put nearly $2,000 in the pockets of workers. A $15 minimum wage is clearly a better deal for workers and communities across the province are eagerly expecting for $15 to come into effect on January 1, 2019.

With over two-thirds of people in Ontario continuing to support a $15 minimum wage, we know that premier-designate Doug Ford has NO mandate to reverse our decent work laws. The diversity of the crowd that gathered at the Decent Work Rally last weekend was proof! Doctors, faith leaders, teachers, students, union activists and many workers all came together to say WE are the majority. 

Watch the CTV coverage of the rally

Let's also remember that 60% of voters did NOT vote for Doug Ford or his plan to scrap the $15 minimum wage at the election. And more than 40% of eligible voters did not vote at all. As for the people who voted for Doug Ford, we know many did so on this basis of his promise to be "for the people". As Yvette, a worker from Toronto, explained at the rally:

“If Doug Ford is truly for the people as he claims, he and his government will honour the commitments already made to the people of this province. In fact they will go beyond, because that is what our communities need.”

All of this makes the next few weeks critical! Let's make sure every Member of the Provincial Parliament feels the pressure to implement the labour law reforms we've won (including the right to equal pay for equal work, fair scheduling rules, paid sick days) and advocate for more. At the rally we acknowledged the 29 elected officials (28 from NDP and 1 from Green Party) who have already signed the $15 & Fairness pledge to be decent work champions (click here to see the full list). It is not too late for other MPPs to also sign on, please take a moment right now to reach out to your local representative.

Join us at a meeting near you! Let's use the summer to talk to our neighbours about why our rights are at stake, and collect signatures to show newly elected MPPs that their constituents expect them to deliver on decent work. Together, we can ensure $15 & Fairness for ALL! 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

More events are being confirmed. If you are organizing an event in your community please send us the details by filling out this handy form so we can promote it.

Sunday, June 24th

TORONTO
March in Toronto Pride on Sunday
1:45 PM - 5:00 PM | Meet outside Sherbourne Subway Station | Click here for the map.
Put on your most colorful, outrageous costumes and get ready for the fun! Fight for $15 & Fairness will be joining the Toronto Pride parade to demand fairness and protection for ALL workers. Come join us and don't forget to bring along water, a hat and sunscreen. We'll meet by the Sherbourne subway station entrance at 1:45 PM.
To RSVP, click here & to spread the word on Facebook, click here.

Monday, June 25th

KINGSTON
Kingston Organizing Meeting
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Robert Sutherland Hall, Queen's University Campus | Click here for the map.
Any agenda to rollback our rights has to be resisted and defeated, and we aren't wasting any time. Our group is going to be defending our decent work gains, supporting workers against Bully Bosses, and standing with other communities who are fighting back in Kingston. Come out to our organizing meeting to be part of the fight for decent work and fairness in Ontario.
To RSVP, click here & to spread the word on Facebook, click here. 

Tuesday, June 26th

SCARBOROUGH
Scarborough Organizing Meeting
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM | ACCES Employment Centre | Click here for the map.
Join us to plan our next steps for the Fight for $15 in Scarborough! With the provincial election and the decent work rally over, we need to stay organized and plan what we can do to ensure workers rights are protected and expanded in the next 4 years.
To RSVP, click here & to spread the word on Facebook, click here.

Thursday, June 28th

HAMILTON
Hamilton Organizing Meeting
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | CUPE Local 5167 office, 818 King St E | Click here for the map.
Coming off the momentum of the Decent Work Rally, Hamilton Fight for $15 will be hosting an open meeting to discuss strategy, organizing against austerity, and how we can ensure strong labour laws, fair wages and continue fighting for decent work. Everyone is welcome! For more information, email: [email protected]
To RSVP, click here & to spread the word on Facebook, click here.

Wednesday, July 4th 

OTTAWA
Ottawa Organizing Meeting 
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | 25OneCommunity | Click here for the map.
We are going to be promoting decent work all over Ottawa this summer and supporting workers that are fighting bully bosses, like Second Cup. Planned actions include pop-up workers rights clinics, a sign blitz, leafleting at festivals, and more! Come to our organizing meeting to share ideas and be a part of the action. For more information, email us: [email protected]
To RSVP, click here & to spread the word on Facebook, click here. 

Tuesday, July 10th

TORONTO
Toronto Organizing Meeting
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM | 720 Spadina Ave | Click here for the map.
We are the people that premier-designate Doug Ford says he represents, so let’s get him prepared to add decent work to the agenda. Join us for this next organizing meeting to find out how we can make this happen and what is next in our campaign.
To RSVP, click here & to spread the word on Facebook, click here. 

Sunday, July 22nd

BRAMPTON
Brampton Organizing Meeting
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Brampton Soccer Centre | Click here for the map.
Thank you to everyone from Brampton who came out to the Rally for Decent Work! We are ready and organized to show premier-elect Doug Ford that WE are the people who he represents. Join us for this next organizing meeting to find out how we can make this happen and what is next in our campaign.
To RSVP, click here & to spread the word on Facebook, click here.