Over the past year, the $15 & Fairness movement successfully pressured the government to introduce legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 by January 1, 2019.
This important move will boost the incomes of 1.7 million people – one quarter of Ontario’s workforce – and their families.
The legislation, Bill 148: The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, also includes two paid personal emergency days for all, as well as measures to make it easier for workers to join unions.
These are major gains for workers in Ontario. But there is still work to be done.
Push for stronger equal pay language & fair schedules
As Bill 148 was debated by the provincial parliament over the summer, corporate lobbyists, spearheaded by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, forced changes to the legislation.
These changes include loopholes to parts of the Bill that deal with equal pay for equal work – ensuring pay equity between full-time and part-time workers – and fair scheduling – requiring employers to pay for cancelled shifts and compensate on-call workers.
If these loopholes stand they will greatly benefit employers and severely restrict the effectiveness of those parts of the Bill.
The Bill just passed Second Reading and is headed for another round of consultations. We need to take action now to ensure the government does the right thing.
Here’s how you can help!
Use the link below to send an automatic email to the Premier and every MPP that calls on them to fix the equal pay and scheduling provisions in Bill 148:
Send an Email to Premier Wynne
You can also download a printable letter version of the email to Premier Wynne and deliver it to your Member of Provincial Parliament – download the letter here.
If you are unsure of who your MPP is or how to contact them directly, you can search the current MPPs list here.
There is also a poster you can download (on 11×17, tabloid paper). Use it in creative ways in your community – like take it to your MPPs office, hang it outside, and take photos to post on social media.
For more information, resources or questions about how you can help strengthen and support Bill 148, visit: 15andfairness.org.