Raise the Hammer

A Smith: Yes those who are covered by union contract do have better wages, benefits and pensions. They are a collective, they have a stronger voice.

But with the "Common Sense Revolution", the Harris government changed the rules as to how workers can organize. The Harris government also implemented Elect to Work and Workfare policies as well and with the growth in the temp market, workers in not only the private sector but also the public sector who are temp workers are or have been denied their rights to stat holiday pay, overtime, there is no protection against workplace bullying and workers have been denied access to their Records of Employment which would enable them to access EI benefits. I could go on and on about the problems, I have not even touch on what one goes through once they apply for welfare.

Now we have almost 37% of workers today, who are denied to some of the most basic rights under employment standards and even if they file a claim it can take up to a year or more before the Ministry of Labour even looks at it, in the meantime, as a low income you could become homeless in a couple of months.

So if you are a temp worker who lost their assignment, then the temp company refuses to give you your Record of Employment and then you have to apply for welfare because you cannot find work, then one has to deal with an OW worker who put the onus on you the worker, not the company that has violated federal statues in regard to the issuance of a ROE. And if and when you get access to EI benefits, they just claw back the welfare you took off your EI cheque, which basically leaves you with nothing to live on.

Labour must step up to the plate to see that all workers have the same protection under the law. Lots of unemployed around the city, too bad there isn't enough jobs to go around.