Ontario's outdated labour policies and legislation is leaving thousands of workers in the province without adequate protection. Basic standards are lacking or are not being properly enforced, and employers are making it difficult for workers to stand up for their rights or to form a union to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families. The Ontario government is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the Ontario Labour Relations Act & the Employment Standards Act. However, unions and labour advocates need to ensure that the government makes meaningful changes to labour policy to better protect precarious workers and raise standards for everybody.

In response, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) has launched the 'Make it Fair Campaign' to begin educating, organizing, and mobilizing communities across the province to pressure the Ontario government to improve working conditions for all workers. Learn more about the campaign, and how to get involved in your local community, by visiting their new campaign website: makeitfair.ca

The Toronto Star recently released a story on our ongoing organizing campaign aimed at GoodLife Fitness professionals seeking to form a fitness professionals' union. Workers United have been working closely with Personal Trainers and Fitness Instructors who have been seeking a wide range of improvement to working conditions, including: access to WSIB benefits in case of injury, an end to unpaid work time, not being forced to sign non-compete clauses, and general respect as professionally trained fitness workers.

Read the full story here

Ten workers have lost their jobs at the Brampton-based trucking company Interstate Freight Systems Inc. (IFS) Drivers have been working closely with Workers United in attempts to form a union in order to improve workplace conditions and safety. Instead, the drivers have been met with intimidation, threats, and harassment by company President Paul Bhullar. We have filed an Unfair Labour Practice with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) and are advocating strongly on behalf of the workers.

Read the full Toronto Star article here.

Please note that as of October 1st, 2015 our Toronto office will be moving to Mississauga. Our new address will be:

2800 Skymark Ave., Unit 10A

Mississauga, ON L4W 5A6

Workers United Canada Council is please to welcome our newest members of the Portage Ave & Wall St. Tim Hortons restaurant in Winnipeg, Manitoba! The Manitoba Labour Relations Board issued a Consent Order granting a discretionary certification to the union after the Tim Hortons' franchisee's management admitted that they had engaged in several violations against worker's rights to unionize. We welcome the Board's decision which sends a strong message to employers that harassment and intimidation of workers will not be tolerated and that workers' rights to collective representation cannot be trampled over.

Workers United would like to give special thanks to the Manitoba Federation of Labour, the Winnipeg Labour Council and the University of Winnipeg Students' Association for all their assistance and support during this campaign.

Read our full press release here.

Additional media coverage:

Portage Avenue Tim Hortons Becomes Unionized [Winnipeg Free Press]

Manitoba Tim Hortons Unionizes [CTV News Winnipeg]