Fighting for a fair wage

Dear Editor,

With a provincial election around the corner, sources close to the Liberal cabinet have disclosed that Wynne is considering broad changes to labour laws in Ontario including phasing in a $15 minimum wage. Given their track record, we should all be skeptical of Liberal promises. However, make no mistake, whatever changes the Wynne Liberals make will be a direct result of sustained efforts by workers, unions, and grassroots organizations like We Are Oshawa.

On May 22, the long-awaited recommendations for the Changing Workplaces Review will be released. The business community has long opposed any increases in the minimum wage and opposed giving Ontario workers sick days, fair scheduling, vacation time, and other reforms that would make Ontario fairer for everybody. They are counting on the Wynne government to continue enabling their assault on workers’ rights by keeping workers and their families in Oshawa and across Ontario desperate and living in poverty.

Over 1,200 people in Oshawa have signed the petition for the Fight for $15 and Fairness over the last year. We Are Oshawa will be spending the summer turning up the heat on local MPPs to make sure they know their constituents want a $15 minimum wage and fairness for all workers in Ontario.

Brynn Harlock and Jesse Cullen
We Are Oshawa