Workers Mobilize for Labour Law Reform Pages 4 Through 7 Action Report Vol

SPECIAL FEATURE: WORKERS MOBILIZE FOR LABOUR LAW REFORM PAGES 4 THROUGH 7 ACTION REPORT VOL. 6 NO. 2 ONTARIO FEDERATION OF LABOUR SPRING 2016 President

Chris Buckley

P.6 FIGHTING FOR $15 AND FAIRNESS ARNIE DE VAAN PHOTO:

Secretary-Treasurer ONTARIO WE WANT Patty Coates OFL Launches Campaign to Make It Fair ...... 4 Taking Action for $15 and Fairness ...... 6 Ontario Budget Throws Public Services Under the Infrastructure Bus ...... 8 Campaign Pushes Back Against Hydro One Corruption Scandal ...... 9 Rally Calls on Wynne to #PlayFair with OLG Pensions ...... 9 EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS

Executive OFL Marks International Women’s Day with Call to End Wage Discrimination...... 10

Vice-President April 19 is Equal Pay Day for 2016 ...... 10

MEET THE OFL OFFICERS Op-Ed: The Gender Wage Gap is About More than Wages ...... 11 Black Lives Matter Shows that Direct Action ... Gets Action ...... 14 Ahmad Gaied Ontario Labour Councils Band Together to Challenge Racism ...... 15 Attawapiskat First Nation Declares State of Emergency ...... 16 ACTION REPORT Annual Strawberry Ceremony Remembers Stolen Sisters ...... 16 ONTARIO FEDERATION OF LABOUR Wrongful Termination of New Mother Threatens Maternity Leave ...... 17 Ontario Creates New Anti-Racism Directorate ...... 17 The Ontario Federation of Labour represents 54 Day of Pink Takes on Bullying...... 18 unions and one million workers. It is Canada’s Ontario Pride Events ...... 18 largest provincial labour federation. Volume 6, Issue 2 of the OFL Action Report HEALTH & SAFETY / WCB was produced for the April 21, 2016 meeting of Historic Legislation Supports First Responders OFL GROWS the Executive Board of the Ontario Federation of with PTSD but Leaves Others Behind ...... 20 Labour. NDP Bill Calls for Flags to be Flown at BY 132,000 Half-Mast for Day of Mourning ...... 20 Editor-in-Chief/Writing/Design/Layout: Joel Duff New Affiliations since Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) OFL NEWS January 1, 2016 Fédération du travail de l’Ontario (FTO) Letter from OFL President Chris Buckley ...... 3 OPSEU 130,000 members 15 Gervais Drive, Suite 202 OPSEU Membership Votes 93.8% in Favour of Toronto, Ontario M3C 1Y8 Re-Joining the OFL ...... 12 USW 2010 690 members OFL Hires Two New Staff to Strengthen the USW 6565 128 members 416-441-2731 • 1-800-668-9138 Labour Movement Inside and Out ...... 13 TDD: 416-443-6305 FAX: 416-441-1893 • OFL Stalwart Retires After 46 Years ...... 19 CUPE 3907 200 members [email protected] Labour & Human Rights Dates ...... 18 Wilfrid Laurier University Upcoming Events ...... 21 Faculty Association 918 members IN MEMORIAM We are stronger together! Jim Freeman: 1955-2016 ...... 22 FRONT COVER PHOTO: JOEL DUFF PHOTO: FRONT COVER

This document was proudly produced with unionized labour: JD/ph:cope343

SUBSCRIBE TO THE OFL E-NEWSLETTER BY TEXTING THE WORD “OFL” TO 647-496-5602 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

PHOTO: PETER BOYLE @CHRISBUCKLEYOFL Sisters and Brothers, We are less than six months into the first term of your new OFL leadership and I am proud to report that we have made significant strides in the commitments that we made to you back at our November Convention. Both internally and externally, our movement is moving forward. On April 14, delegates to the annual Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) convention voted 93.8 percent in favour of ending their five-year hiatus from Ontario’s house of labour with the historic decision to re-join the OFL. The very next day, OPSEU joined the OFL on the streets in cities and towns across Ontario to lock arms with non-unionized workers in a province-wide campaign for $15 and Fairness. We proved that together we are stronger. This spring, the OFL also launched “Make It Fair,” our flagship campaign to mobilize union support for labour law reform alongside the Fight for $15 and Fairness. The campaign is centred on the province’s “Changing Workplaces Review” and gives voice to union demands for across-the-board changes to the Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act that would improve employment standards for every worker and make it easier to join a union. It is an ambitious and decentralized plan that is designed to empower activists in 16 target communities to drive political pressure from the grass roots to make decent work the law of the land. We cannot accomplish these objectives alone. The OFL is reaching out to every union and every local to support the campaign, join the OFL, and affiliate to their local labour council. The labour movement cannot advance unless we are truly committed to the principle of labour solidarity. The OFL is also reaching out to non-unionized workers, community partners and equity-seeking groups to support their struggles in an effort to earn their trust, build relationships and win their support for our campaign. In this report, you will see more equity work reported on than any previous OFL report. We have stood in solidarity with Black Lives Matter–Toronto, Indigenous peoples, Muslim people, the Equal Pay Coalition, injured workers and the LGBTQ community. This is a reflection of our collective recognition that these community alliances will be vital to both the immediate success of our labour law campaign and our long-term goal of building a common front against austerity. I am calling on each and every union member in Ontario to support the Make It Fair campaign and to join the OFL in our fight to change Ontario’s outmoded labour laws. Together, we can raise the bar for every worker and to make every job a pathway out of poverty. In order to seize this opportunity, we must be united and we must be relentless. In solidarity, Sign up for the OFL’s new e-blast updates by texting the word “OFL” to 647-496-5602 Follow & Retweet the OFL on Twitter at: Chris Buckley, @OFLabour and @ChrisBuckleyOFL President of the Ontario Federation of Labour

OFL ACTION REPORT 3 THE ONTARIO WE WANT

OFL LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO MAKE IT FAIR: GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT FOR LABOUR LAW REFORM TO HIT TARGET REGIONS The OFL kicked its campaign for labour law The success of this campaign very much de- reform into full swing in March, with launch of pends on the commitment of every union and ev- MakeItFair.ca. The campaign is focused on seiz- ery member. We are calling on every union and ing the historic opportunity presented by Ontar- every local to pass a resolution to support the io’s “Changing Workplaces Review” to champion campaign, assign activists to every regional hub sweeping changes to the Employment Standards where they have members and to affiliate to their Act and the Labour Relations Act that would ele- local labour council. vate employment standards for every worker and The campaign website is designed as a central make it easier to join a union. repository for action. Throughout history, unionized workers have It drives visitors to sign up to “take the pledge”, been able to win incredible gains at the bargain- With the balance shifted to precarious work, ev- which will allow the OFL to grow a list of key ing table that have become the law of the land. ery worker is being dragged into a race to the bot- supporters to mobilize for future actions, based Important rights like maternity benefits, unemploy- tom but the OFL campaign intends to bring labour on their union and their region. The site provides ment insurance, the 40-hour week and a ban on unions together to reverse that trend! updates and campaign documents, along with child labour would never have been won without At the heart of the campaign is a strategy to regionally specific data on current labour market that collective power. mobilize our movement from below to put strate- trends and measures of inequality. However, the Today, Ontario’s workplaces are changing dra- gic pressure on vulnerable members of provincial defining feature of the site is a live and interactive matically and all workers are losing ground. parliament to support our campaign or suffer de- event calendar that provides regionally specific, There are roughly two million unionized workers feat in the next election. We have organized the real-time updates on meetings and actions in ev- but there are over 1.7 million low-wage workers province into 16 target regions and in each one we ery one of our target communities. earning at or near the minimum wage. Over half of are setting up a “Local Organizing Hub” to drive a The OFL is dedicating all of its energies to the our workforce are trapped in precarious part-time, community-based campaign that is focused, sus- campaign, but a talented labour organizer, Melisa contract and temporary jobs. tained and relentless. Bayon, has been hired to spearhead organizing

4 SPRING 2016 • VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 efforts across the province. The financial support Once the Local Organizing Hubs are fully set 16 LOCAL ORGANIZING HUBS for the campaign that is rolling in from affiliates up, wtih regional organizers assigned to each, the is a reflection of the collective commitment to the campaign will call on members to attend regional • Durham campaign and the OFL is currently working with assemblies in June, with an eye to engaging mem- • Guelph affiliates to book off labour activists in every region. bers in locally-driven campaign planning for tacti- • Hamilton With the initial report of the Changing Workplaces cal riding-based actions throughout the summer. • Kingston Review expected at the end of May, and final rec- After Labour Day, the campaign will kick into ommendations promised for late fall, the window high gear and we will tap into the deep lists of sup- • London for action is very tight. porters that are built up over the summer months. • Niagara The OFL swung support in behind the “Fight for $15 and Fairness” Day of Action on April 15 • North Bay to generate media attention and put polticians on • Oakville notice about the growing movement to demand decent work in Ontario. Over the last week of April, • Ottawa labour activists will be following up this grassroots • Peel activism with an intensive lobby week directed pri- • Peterborough marily at Liberal Members of Provincial Parliament. • Sudbury Throughout the month of May, the OFL, CLC and regional labour councils will be hosting “all • Thunder Bay presidents meetings” in each target region to • Toronto strengthen support for the campaign and lay the groundwork for greater unity at the labour council • Kitchener-Waterloo level. • Windsor

OFL ACTION REPORT 5 THE ONTARIO WE WANT

Hundreds of OPSEU activists march from their convention hall to join the day of action at Ontario’s Ministry of Labour. Photo: Two top photos by Joel Duff, four regional photos by local organizers. TAKING ACTION FOR $15 AND FAIRNESS: APRIL 15 MOBILIZES THOUSANDS OF UNIONIZED & NON-UNIONIZED WORKERS On April 15, thousands of unionized workers it’s parents trying to make ends meet on poverty and non-unionized workers stood shoulder-to- wages, recent graduates struggling to pay student shoulder in a united campaign for “$15 and Fair- debt on short-term contracts, temp workers with ness.” It was part of a province-wide day of action no guarantee of hours, workers losing their wages for labour law reform that was timed to rally public and benefits when contracts flip, or unfair exemp- opinion for fairer labour laws in advance of the first tions that leave some workers with no protection at report of the Changing Workplaces Review. all – more and more Ontarians are saying: Enough In Toronto, OFL Officers Chris Buckley and – we need changes now!” Ahmad Gaied joined a rally one-thousand-strong The Fight for $15 & Fairness is promoting a decent at the Ontario Ministry of Labour for a guerilla rib- work agenda that includes fair scheduling; stronger bon-cutting celebration to rename the “Ministry of regulation of temporary agencies; pro-active Labour” as the “Ministry of Decent Work.” enforcement of employment laws; meaningful Afterwards, the two officers attended similar fines for labour law infractions; seven paid sick actions at the Office of Finance Minister Charles days; an end to contract flipping; and easier ac- Sousa and out front of the Greater Toronto Airport Just days before the action, the Ontario New cess to unions. Central to the campaign is the de- Authority at Pearson. Secretary-Treasurer Patty Democrats gave a huge boost to the campaign by mand for a $15 minimum wage for all workers, Coates hit the road to join campaign events in becoming the first political party in the province to with no exceptions. Kitchener and London, two of the OFL’s key target endorse a $15 minimum wage. While labour activists took action in the streets, regions. “There is no better time than now for our elect- supporters were asked to join the action online by Other actions took place in Barrie, Guelph, Ham- ed representatives to commit to a meaningful, sending emails to every Member of Provincial Par- ilton, Kingston, North Bay, Oshawa, Ottawa, Peter- decent work agenda,” said Pam Frache, provincial liament using an online email blast tool at: borough, St. Catharines, Sudbury and Windsor. Fight for $15 & Fairness coordinator. “Whether www.15andfairness.org/workers-stories

6 SPRING 2016 • VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 OFL President Chris Buckley and a thousand close friends rename Hundreds of OPSEU activists march from their convention hall to join the day of action at Ontario’s Ministry of Labour. Photo: Two top photos by Joel Duff, four regional photos by local organizers. the Ontario Ministry of Labour the “Ministry of Decent Work.”

Ottawa activists take to the streets of the nation’s capital. OFL Secretary-Treasurer Patty Coates joins London activists.

NDP MPP France Gélinas joins the Sudbury action at the office of NDP MPP Jennifer French joins Durham region activists at Liberal MPP Glenn Thibeault. Oshawa event which featured an “amazing race to the bottom.”

OFL ACTION REPORT 7 THE ONTARIO WE WANT

ONTARIO BUDGET THROWS PUBLIC SERVICES UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE BUS MODEST PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS CLAWED BACK BY CUTS AND PRIVATIZATION After the public relations lighting storm gen- squeezed by precarious work, shrinking public poverty; erated in 2015 over the sale of Hydro One, the services and increasing user fees.” • Young Ontario families pay up to $19,000 2016 Ontario Budget sought, unsuccessfully, to In its pre-budget submission, the OFL called a year for child care, the highest costs in reverse the current of public outrage by changing on the Wynne Government to abandon its bal- Canada; the channel. anced budget fixation in favour of new invest- • University tuition fees have outpaced in- ments in job creation, restoring public services Up front in Finance Minister Charles Sousa’s flation by 601% while per student funding and making sure that banks and corporations pay budget speech this year were showpiece an- is dead last; and nouncements about “free tuition” for post-sec- their fair share. The OFL cited a report released ondary students and limited new funding for by the Ontario Common Front in November 2015, • Ontario funds all of its social programs at hospitals. However, the Minister failed to mention demonstrating that, by nearly every measure, the lowest rate in Canada. the previous nine consecutive years of hospital Ontario is trailing every other province in income “Wynne has given us one step forward, two budget cuts and a restructuring of student finan- equality and poverty reduction. Among the most steps back. Without increasing social program cial assistance that meant the new grants for alarming findings are: funding above inflation, this budget will further students would be offset by cuts to existing aid • Ontario has experienced a 50% increase cement Ontario’s last place status for social programs. Meanwhile, tuition fees will continue in the duration of unemployment, making program funding, income equality and poverty to increase. its long-term unemployment the second reduction,” said Buckley. “The shortcomings of Despite these modest investments, the budget worst in Canada; the 2016 budget make it all the more essential held the line on austerity cuts and hydro privat- • 1.7 million people are now earning within for this government to move forward with bold ization in order to fund its infrastructure plans. $4 of the minimum wage; plans to close Ontario’s gender wage gap and Behind the budget numbers was a net trans- • There has been a 38% increase in pover- reform Ontario’s outdated labour laws so that fer of wealth and good jobs from a public sector ty in Ontario over the past 20 years and every worker is lifted out of poverty and fairness where the workforce is 60 percent female to a nearly one in five Ontario children live in becomes the law of the land.” construction sector that is 88 percent male. It is a fiscal strategy that will inadvertently widen Behind the budget numbers was a net transfer of the gender wage gap, precisely at a time that the government has promised to reduce it. wealth and good jobs from a public sector where “The 2016 Ontario Budget throws public ser- the workforce is 60% female to a construction vices under the infrastructure bus when it should sector that is 88% male. be presenting Ontarians with a roadmap for growing the economy and reversing the back- It is a fiscal strategy that will inadvertently widen slide to inequality,” said Buckley. “Piecemeal improvements to student financial assistance, dis- the gender wage gap, precisely at a time that the ability support and other positive measures won’t government has promised to reduce it. help reduce inequality in Ontario if families are

8 SPRING 2016 • VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 CAMPAIGN PUSHES BACK AGAINST

HYDRO ONE CORRUPTION SCANDAL KEEP HYDRO PUBLIC PHOTO: Following revelations that a bank underwrit- Sachs, Barclays and Raymond James. The paper anti-poverty and student organizations. The ing the Hydro One sale backed a fundraiser that reports the emails included at least one overt ref- campaign began rolling out large community funneled tens of thousands of dollars into Liberal erence to Hydro One privatization. canvasses across the province that are blitzing party coffers, CUPE Ontario President issued a The disclosures added a new jolt to the prov- Liberal ridings across the province to amplify public call for a police investigation. ince’s highly charged decision to sell off the pub- public outrage over hydro privatization. A Globe and Mail exposé uncovered active pro- licly owned hydro transmission and distribution “We already know the public won’t benefit motion by the Bank of Nova Scotia for a Decem- company. Since the sale was announced in early from Hydro privatization, but we have recently ber 7 fundraising event featuring Finance Minister 2015, nearly 200 municipalities have passed learned about the undue political influence of the Charles Sousa and Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli. resolutions opposing the sale of Hydro One and project’s financial backers,” said Hahn. “Whether Emails obtained by the Globe suggest the bank public opinion polling pegs voter opposition to the Liberals broke the law is for the police and helped secure participation in the $7400-per- the sale at more than 80 percent. courts to decide, but governments need to be person fundraiser by 22 people. These included The OFL is part of a broad-based campaign, held to a higher standard. The Keep Hydro Public executives of other banks involved in the Hy- called “Keep Hydro Public,” that is supported by campaign is going to try this government in the dro One IPO, including TD, RBC, CIBC, Goldman more than 20 community, labour, environment, court of public opinion.”

RALLY CALLS ON WYNNE TO

#PLAYFAIR WITH OLG PENSIONS JOEL DUFF PHOTO: On December 16, 2015, management at the the need to expand the Canada Pension Plan, local Nepean-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod, the Rideau Carleton Raceway Slots (RCRS) locked while allowing the Ontario Lottery and Gaming protesters called on Wynne to intervene in the out 124 housekeepers and slot-area cashiers Corporation (OLG) – a crown corporation – to bitter dispute and to put a stop to scab labour. after their bargaining team rejected a new con- try to strong arm workers into giving up their “Solidarity from the labour movement and in- tract that would freeze wages for two years and long-standing pensions. The union has accused credible support from the public buoyed the spirits remove existing pension language from the cur- the Wynne government of allowing OLG to make of the slots workers through holiday season and rent collective agreement. The workers have not itself more attractive to private buyers by forcing the cold winter months,” said Larry Rousseau, had a raise since 2009, despite the fact that the employees to give up their pensions. Regional Executive Vice-President for PSAC. cost of living in Ottawa has increased by 8.7 per- On March 9, the OFL helped PSAC mobilize a “These locked out workers have become stron- cent since then. solidarity rally of hundreds of workers at Queen’s ger on the picket line over the last few months In the first 15 days of the lockout, the RCRS Park to call on the Wynne government to “play and they are determined to win a fair contract.” lost five times more money in revenue than it fair” with OLG pensions. Joined by several mem- The union has continued to keep the heat on would have cost the employer to increase wages bers of the Ontario NDP Caucus, and even the the government by staging a series of protests by three percent in a single year. outside the Ottawa offices of three local Liberal The workers were quick to call out Ontario’s MPPs, calling the province to stop privatizing the governing Liberals for being very vocal about Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

OFL ACTION REPORT 9 EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS PHOTO: JOEL DUFF PHOTO: OFL MARKS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH CALL TO END WAGE DISCRIMINATION Based on the current rate of progress, it will gender identity and ability. It is an economic price winning the right to vote in a Canadian province. take over 100 years before women earn the that women pay at every wage level, regardless Nellie McClung and the ‘Famous Five’ led this same wages as men. of their age, education or occupation. historic victory in Manitoba and paved the way In Ontario today, even though women now ac- Action on wage equality cannot wait another for women’s suffrage across Canada,” said OFL count for roughly half of the labour force, they year, let alone 100. Secretary-Treasurer Patty Coates in her Hamil- continue to make 31.5 percent less than the av- The OFL marked the 2016 International Wom- ton Spectator op-ed. “What better way to honour erage annual earnings of male workers – one of en’s Day (IWD) with a call to end wage discrim- their legacy than to make sure that 100 years the largest reported gaps in the world. It amounts ination by raising the wages and employment from today, young women will look back on wage to a gendered wage penalty that is compounded standards for every worker. discrimination as a similar relic from another by race, immigration status, sexual orientation, “2016 is the 100th anniversary of women century.” APRIL 19 IS EQUAL PAY DAY FOR 2016 The OFL and affiliates recognized April 19, 2016 as “Equal Pay Day” – the date symbolizing the nearly four months of additional work that women need to toil at to catch up to the previous year’s earnings of their male counterparts. Rallies and events were held in communities across Ontario. PHOTO: MELISA BAYON PHOTO: SHANNON DEVINE PHOTO: The OFL partnered with affiliates and the Ontario Equal Pay Coaltion to participate in a special pay equity supplement in the Toronto Star (see adjacent page). A number of affiliates launched punchy campaigns to expose the wage gap. PHOTO: JOEL DUFF PHOTO:

10 SPRING 2016 • VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 Pepper Media SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT Thursday, April 14, 2016

A sponsored feature by Pepper Media Continued from page 3

STEP 6 Promote access to collective bargaining THE GENDER WAGE GAP IS ABOUT MORE THAN WAGES Unionized women receive better pay than their non-unionized counterparts since unions negotiated pay equity plans with Unionized women have been better able to negotiate good employers that led to pay adjustments. Unionization is a Thirty years have passed since I first entered the workforcewages, benefits, and working conditions. The net result pathway to close the gender wage gap. The Labour Relations as a young educator – the first woman in my family with a is an average pay boost for unionized women of $7.83 an Act needs modernizing including expanding card-based college diploma – believing that my generation would be hour more than non-unionized women. This was certainly certification. New sectoral certification and bargaining the one to tear down the barriers to women’s equality. It my experience, as an educational assistant supporting structures should also be implemented. was this profound belief in fairness that motivated me to elementary and high school students with special needs, STEP 7 Increase the minimum wage get involved with the women’s movement and the labour when I got my first union job in a school board after years movement, and it guided me as a mother who wanted all ofof precarious work in private childcare centers. An effective and immediate step for low-wage women my children – one girl and two boys – to enter the workforce is for the Ontario government to bring in emergency as equals. However, current labour laws in Ontario make it hard to legislation to increase the minimum wage to $15 per join a union and these laws have not been revamped in 25 I wasn’t a lone idealist. hour immediately and maintain annual increases until years, which has worked strongly against the goals of pay the minimum wage is at the level of a living wage. In June of 1987, when I was in the midst of starting my equity legislation. family, Ontario became the second jurisdiction in Canada This year, women workers have a once-in-a-generation STEP 8 Provide affordable and accessible child care to pass historic pay equity legislation that confirmed a opportunity to finally bring fairness to the workforce. That The time for a program is now. Many women work public and government commitment to “redress systemic is because Ontario is currently reviewing the province’s part-time because of a lack of affordable child care. In gender discrimination” in workplace wages and benefits. employment laws. This is our chance to bring in sweeping 1988, the Government fully recognized that access to We were certain that change was on the way. changes that can close the gender wage gap, lift every an affordable child care program was a cornerstone to ensure women’s equality. Today, my children are all grown up and they are in worker up and help create the Ontario we want. a workforce that is just as divided as it was when they While this change might be late in coming, it will make me STEP 9 Mainstream equity compliance into government were born. In Ontario, the average wage for women is proud to fight for it with my children at my side. laws and policies Patty Coates MIND 70 percent of what a man earns for the same work. If you All social and economic policies should be vetted are a woman of colour, it falls to 64 percent. If you are an Secretary-Treasurer of the Ontario Federation of Labour by government Ministries for their impact on the Aboriginal woman it is only 46 percent. If you are a woman gender wage gap. This includes litigation decisions with a disability it is extremely difficult to even get a job, and ensuring that scarce public resources are used and those who do are often among the most precarious to provide pay equity for women providing important and poorly paid. public services and not used to fight pay claims. Cabinet How can we still be so far behind? policy submissions should include a sign off to ensure proposed laws and policies have been reviewed for their The answer is more complicated than simply fixing and contribution to closing the pay gap. enforcing the pay equity legislation that has failed to deliver THE the progress it promised. What these past 30 years have STEP 10 Mainstream equity compliance into taught us is that we have to go much further in raising workplaces and businesses the bar for all workers. After all, when the overwhelming Employers also need to mainstream equity compliances majority of Ontarians are falling behind and most of the into their workplace practices, including analyzing the good jobs we lost during the recession have been replaced impact of recruitment and retention practices as well as with precarious ones, it is women who are the most likely pay and promotion structures and conditions of work to fall back down to the bottom. have on vulnerable groups. That is why the best approach to closing the gendered wage STEP 11 End Violence and Harassment of Women gap is to tackle inequality from the bottom up. wage The Ontario government’s targeted strategy to end Gender- To start, Ontario must increase the minimum wage to $15 based-violence needs to be expanded to address the fact an hour. A movement is spreading across North America that a woman who is the victim of assault or harassed out to demand “$15 and Fairness” and it is based on the basic of a job is left with few economic resources. notion that every job should be a pathway out of poverty. Raising the minimum wage to $15 and tying that rate to STEP 12 Secure Decent Work for Women Across the the cost of inflation would peg wages permanently at 10 Economic Spectrum percent above the poverty line and lift nearly a million The precarious labour market means predominantly women out of poverty. lower wages, less access to benefits, holiday pay, However, the most significant action that Ontario can make overtime pay, pensions, severance pay and employment GAP! to improve the wages and working conditions for women insurance. In today’s labour market, there is little is to make it easier to join a union. balance between the power of employers and the many precariously employed women. It is time for the Ontario While labour unions were historically concentrated in government to commit to the Decent Work agenda to male-dominated sectors, like manufacturing and resource address this precarity. extraction, unions see their biggest growth each year in By Jennifer Quito and Jan Borowy, Ontario Equal Pay Coalition In Ontario, the average female-dominated workplaces. That is because women woman earns $15,400 know a good thing when they see it. a year less than the OFL ACTION REPORT 11 average man. Premier Wynne is widening the wage gap for women mier who claims to care about companies who are willing to real (after inflation) program paying for infrastructure. The pay $6,000 a pop – or more – By Warren (Smokey) Thomas industry that builds infra- women’s wages, this is a huge Kathleen Wynne says spending in Ontario has fall- failure. to dine with her and her min- en by at least $8 billion a year. structure is the construction isters. Ontario Premier Kathleen Kathleen Wynne is driving Infrastructure spending has industry. And in Ontario, the The fact that this program she wants to narrow the Wynne talks a good talk about the wage gap wider. The ques- jumped by at least the same construction workforce is 88 hurts women is, well, second- fair pay for women. But when tion is, what’s driving Wynne? amount compared to the long-per cent male. ary. They’re collateral damage it comes to actually doing The answer is, there’s an- term average. Now, don’t get me wrong. in a much bigger game. gap. But for years, she’s something about it, she gets an other policy in play, and it You’d almost think the cuts I’m all in favour of good wag- On the gender wage gap, “F.” underpins everything the Pre- were paying for the infrastruc-es for men – as President of Kathleen Wynne deserves that Last year, to much fanfare, mier does. That policy is pri- been cutting real wages ture. OPSEU, I represent 50,000 of failing grade. the Premier promised to nar- vatization. Guided by her star Well, they are. This is a mas- them. Plus I have five sons, and row the wage gap between men adviser, Ed Clark, the Premier sive transfer of wealth, in two I want them all to have good Warren (Smokey) Thomas is and women in Ontario. It’s a isn’t really thinking about the for half a million public ways: it moves public dollars jobs. But those good jobs can- President of the Ontario Pub- tall order: per year, women gender wage gap at all. She’s from public services to privatenot be paid for by cutting wom- lic Service Employees Union. earn 31 per cent less than men. thinking about moving pub- companies; and it moves thoseen’s wages. sector women. She’s So no one expects the Premier lic dollars to investors and same dollars from women to To make matters worse, to make the gap disappear men. Premier Wynne is cutting overnight. making the wage When it comes to gender, wages for women in another On the other hand, I don’t the public sector is not just way: she has put the brakes on “To understand what Kathleen think anyone expects her to any sector: it’s the most fe- funding pay equity. In OPSEU make it wider, either. Yet that’s gap wider. male-dominated sector in the alone, we have 180 bargaining Wynne is doing to the overall exactly what she’s doing. economy. About half a million units where the Liberals have That’s impossible, you say! women work, directly or in- stopped dedicated pay equity wage gap in Ontario, you can’t The Premier is a feminist! directly, for the province. In payments. There are hundreds Look at her policies on sex- areas like health and social ser-more in the same position. just look at the millions. You have ual harassment, or violence vices, the workforce is over 80 Tens of thousands of wom- It’s never okay to against women. Don’t they billions.” per cent female. en with modest incomes are to look at the prove she’s taking action on When you cut the public being denied money they are the issues that matter? discriminate. sector, women’s wages take theowed by law. Many of them Sure they do. And those are hit. will never reach a pay-equity important initiatives. But they But that’s not the end of the compliant rate of pay before Please tell the have nothing to do with the story. Women’s wage cuts are they retire, or die. For a Pre- gender wage gap. Wynne’s new spending on Premier. women is worth millions, even tens of millions a year. But to understand what she’s doing to the overall wage gap in On- tario, you can’t just look at the millions. You have to look at the billions. You have to look at the core policies of the Lib- eral government. Because the big picture tells a totally dif- ferent story than the spin from Wynne. Since the 2008-09 recession, the Liberals have pursued two major policies that affect the gender wage gap. The first is austerity – real cuts to public services and real wage cuts for public sector workers. The second is infrastructure spending. Since the 2009 budget, the Liberals have cranked up spending on infra- opseu.org/genderwagegap structure. It’s now at levels not seen since the 1970s. opseu.org/genderwagegap Wage gap calculation based on average annual earnings for There’s a strange symmetry a woman in Ontario of $33,600 and average annual earnings for a man of $49,000. Source: Statistics Canada CANSIM table here. Since austerity began, 202-0102, latest available data. OFL NEWS OPSEU MEMBERSHIP VOTES 93.8% IN FAVOUR OF RE-JOINING THE OFL At their annual convention April 14, 2016, oppose the sale of Hydro One, win employment sweeping changes to employment laws that 1,700 delegates of the Ontario Public Service law reform and close the gender wage gap. will raise the bar for all workers.” Employees Union (OPSEU) voted 93.8 percent “The resolution our convention passed today in favour of renewing their membership in the tells me, in no uncertain terms, that our Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL). It was The resolution our convention members want to be back in the Ontario a decision met with thunderous applause. passed today tells me, in no Federation of Labour,” said OPSEU President All three OFL officers were present in the Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “I and my Executive convention hall as OPSEU delegates voted uncertain terms, that our Board are looking forward to negotiating the to end a five year hiatus from the province’s members want to be back details that will make it happen as soon as house of labour. in the Ontario Federation of possible.” “This decision is a momentous one for Labour. OPSEU brings into the OFL approximately Ontario’s labour movement,” said Buckley. 130,000 members who work for the Ontario - OPSEU President Warren “It is amazing news for the OFL, but it is also government inside community colleges, for (Smokey) Thomas amazing news for working people across the the LCBO, in the health care sector and they are employed in a wide range of community province, because a united labour movement “There will always be differences among unions, agencies inside the broader public service. has the capacity to shift public policy and build just as there are differences among people, “On behalf of Ontario’s one million unionized a better province.” but I believe we can harness these differences workers, I am pleased to welcome OPSEU to change our province for the better,” said OPSEU let its membership in the OFL lapse in members back into the house of labour and I August 2011, along with three other unions. President Chris Buckley. “Today’s decision is want to personally thank the OPSEU leadership, In November 2015, the OFL membership an overwhelming display of labour solidarity in staff and membership for their tireless work elected a new team of officers on a platform Ontario. It is a signal of a movement of workers for a better province. OPSEU’s dedication to of progress and unity. Since then, relations that united in our collective goals to halt the a progressive province has never abated, but have been restored, as the OFL and OPSEU privatization agenda, to make our workplaces we are unquestionable stronger when we are have begun collaborating on key campaigns to safer, to close the gender wage gap and make working together,” said Buckley

All three OFL officers joined OPSEU President Smokey Thomas and 1st Vice-President Eduardo Almeida on the stage at the OPSEU Convention. Photo: Shannon Devine

12 SPRING 2016 • VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 STRENGTHENING OUR LABOUR MOVEMENT INSIDE & OUT JANE MEANS BUSINESS FOR OFL FINANCES MELISA PUTS BOOTS ON THE GROUND Since taking office last December, OFL Secretary-Treasurer Pat- Campaign reinforcements arrived just in time for the official ty Coates has made it her mission to restructure and strengthen launch of the OFL’s “Make It Fair” campaign and Melisa Bayon the OFL finances from the bottom up. A central piece of that strat- comes to the position of Campaign Organizer with loads of street egy is the hiring of a CPA to direct the OFL finances and adminis- cred. tration through the creation of a new Controller position. Melisa cut her campaign teeth over a decade of hotel worker Jane Liu stepped into her new role on April 11, after dedicat- organizing for UNITE HERE across Canada and the United States ing the past 20 years to heading up financial management and and spent the last few years as the lead organizer for home- accounting in the private sector. Before she sets her mind to mak- care workers with SEIU Healthcare. She has drafted non-union ing the OFL’s financial operation more effective and efficient, she organizing strategies and led scores of grassroots campaigns to plans to apply her skills to restructuring and streamlining the OFL’s empower some of North America’s most precarious workers by accounting so that the staff, officers and Ex- forging bonds with political and community allies. ecutive Committee have an up-to-the- The daughter of a single mother who minute financial snap shot when they fled from Argentina with young chil- are planning the campaigns of the dren, Melisa comes by her working labour movement. class roots honestly and knows “People sometimes have the first hand that unions are a path- misconception that best business way out of poverty. practices are at odds with socially “There is no campaign with progressive values. Nothing could more potential to transform the be further from the truth,” said daily lives of workers than the cam- Liu. “I believe that accountability paign for labour law reform,” said and transparency are essential for Bayon. “We are building a cam- a democratic organization like paign to redefine the future the OFL because it empow- of work in Ontario and to ers the Board and the give every worker control members to harness over their own life. This the resources of our campaign isn’t just movement and about solidarity, apply them to it is about our our political survival.” priorities.”

All three OFL officers joined OPSEU President Smokey Thomas and 1st Vice-President Eduardo Almeida on the stage at the OPSEU Convention. Photo: Shannon Devine

OFL ACTION REPORT 13 EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS

BLACK LIVES MATTER SHOWS THAT

DIRECT ACTION ... GETS ACTION CP/DOMINIC CHAN PHOTO:

When Black Lives Matter demonstrators their decision to keep the circumstances of the packed up their tent city outside Toronto police police shootings shrouded in secrecy. headquarters early in April, they set a 300-hour After closing down their tent city action, cam- deadline to come back if their demands were paign organizers staged a march on the Queen’s not met. Less than two weeks later, their cam- Park Legislative Buildings that resulted in a per- paign had chalked up three important victories sonal commitment from Premier Kathleen Wynne and inspired renewed solidarity between social to conduct four public consultations across the movements. city on the state of policing. However, the biggest Under the banner of Black Lives Matter-Toron- win came on April 13, when Ontario Coroner Dr. to, a coalition of Black community members, stu- James Edwards called an inquest into the death dents, artists, workers and many others launched of Andrew Loku. a peaceful “Tent City” occupation outside the To- The OFL proudly stood behind Black Lives ronto Police Headquarters on March 19 to draw The OFL supports these attention to systemic racism and demand an in- Matter-Toronto, providing resources, publicity quest into the police shooting deaths of Andrew courageous activists in their and support during their two-week encampment. Loku, Alex Wettlaufer and Jermaine Carby. The demand for answers about All three OFL Officers visited the Tent City action. group was also responding to a recent City of To- recent shootings of Black “The OFL supports these courageous activists ronto decision to cut an annual AfroFest cultural in their demand for answers about recent shoot- celebration down to one day, from two. men, as well as their call for ings of Black men, as well as their call for broad- Within days of launching their campaign, the broader systemic change. er systemic change to prevent any future loss of City of Toronto reversed its decision, but the To- - OFL Executive Vice-President life,” said OFL Executive Vice-President Ahmad ronto Police Force and the controversial Special Ahmad Gaied Gaied. “Black Lives Matter-Toronto has proven Investigations Unit appeared to be intractable in that peaceful direct action gets action.”

The Black Lives Matter demonstration travelled to Ontario’s Parliament building from Toronto Police Headquarters, shutting down traffic on University and College streets. Photo: Toronto Star/Lucas Oleniuk

14 SPRING 2016 • VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 ONTARIO LABOUR COUNCILS BAND TOGETHER TO CHALLENGE RACISM March 21 is celebrated around the world as in Canada, but racialized, Indigenous and new- Labour councils across Ontario are commit- the International Day for the Elimination of Racial comer communities are disproportionately affect- ted to advancing these agendas and providing a Discrimination. It is a day that marks the anni- ed by rising inequality. space for such discussions. versary of the tragic events of Sharpeville, South With the recent push to welcome an unprece- They also have a unique role to play in sup- Africa, when police opened fire and killed 69 dented number of refugees and immigrants into porting refugees to our communities, while being people at a peaceful demonstration against the our communities, there has been a backlash of a vigilant opposition to any backlash they might apartheid “pass laws” in 1960. Six years later, the racism and Islamophobia that has been fueled by experience. United Nations General Assembly declared March prominent political figures like Stephen Harper In recognition of March 21, 2016, Ontario’s la- 21 an annual date for the international commu- and Donald Trump, and many others. bour movement encouraged unions and community to redouble its efforts to eliminate racism in Ontario’s labour councils felt it necessary to nity members to download and display #StopHate all its forms. respond openly and directly to this undercurrent window signs and to share them on social media: This year, Ontario’s regional labour councils of hate with the strongest and most unified con- came together for the first time to issue a joint demnation possible. Together, they committed to http://ofl.ca/index.php/stophate public statement for March 21, with the support working to: of the Ontario Federation of Labour and the On- • End individual, cultural or systemic rac- tario Region of the Canadian Labour Congress. ism and discrimination by speaking out Together, they recognized the strong and im- and confronting all barriers to the full and portant role that labour councils have to play in equal opportunity for all; bringing together labour and community groups • Promote and protect social justice, hu- in every region of Ontario to tackle barriers to man rights, and the environment; equality, human rights, and social justice. Togeth- • Demand immediate action to eliminate er, they fight for good jobs and sustainable com- poverty, end employment precarity and munities that are supported by strong public ser- close the wage gap that disproportion- vices and universally accessible social programs. ately affects women, racialized people “We recognize that racism, Islamophobia, an- and other equity-seeking communities, ti-Semitism and all forms of prejudice, hate and and prevents the advancement of every discrimination – whether individual, cultural or worker; and systemic – divide our communities and prevent • Demand public investment in social our collective prosperity,” declared the statement. programs, a $15 minimum wage, Ontario today has the fastest growing rates of better employment standards and poverty and precariousness out of every province easier access to join a union.

Inspired by the OFL’s push for intersectional solidarity, OFL Executive Vice-President Ahmad Gaied joined a group of Muslim activists to deliver community support to Toronto’s Black Lives Matter occupation. Photo: unknown

OFL ACTION REPORT 15 EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS PHOTO: CBC NEWS PHOTO:

ATTAWAPISKAT FIRST NATION DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY The Northern Ontario First Nation of Attawa- crisis. The OFL supports these demands and, at Attawapiskat has been plagued for years by piskat has declared a state of emergency amidst a recent meeting of the OFL Aboriginal Circle, annual spring flooding, contaminated drinking a suicide epidemic that has seen over 100 sui- declared its solidarity with the people of Attawa- water and a condemned schoolhouse built on cide attempts in the community since last Sep- piskat and other First Nations communities. the site of a massive diesel spill. There can be tember. Eleven suicide attempts were made on In response to the direct appeal from the little doubt that today’s mental health crisis that a single Saturday night and on the following is gripping the community of Attawapiskat and so Monday, 13 youths, including a 9-year-old child, Attawapiskat Chief Bruce Shisheesh and eight many other Indigenous communities is part of the were detained by police in an effort to thwart an councillors, Ontario’s Health Minister Eric Hoskins ongoing suicide pact. has pledged $2 million in mental health support lingering legacy of Canada’s colonial history. As the country grappled with the crisis, Idle No and Health Canada also sent 18 health workers, The OFL calls on affiliates and allies to help More and Black Lives Matter protesters staged mental health workers and police to the commu- amplify the pressure on all levels of government sit-ins at Indigenous and Northern Affairs offices nity. However, these temporary solutions will do to take immediate and sustained action to end in Toronto and Winnipeg to demand immediate little to address the systemic problems at the root the grinding poverty and desperation that haunts and long-term government action to address the of a crisis that is generations in the making. communities like Attawapiskat. ANNUAL STRAWBERRY CEREMONY REMEMBERS STOLEN SISTERS While February is not a time when strawberries are in season, Indigenous and community activists have long recognized that the violence facing Can- ada’s Indigenous women on a daily basis is also a disruption in their traditional ways of life. On February 14, Strawberry Ceremonies were held in communities across Canada to honour women, girls, trans and two-spirit people who have died violent and premature deaths. OFL Secretary-Treasurer Patty Coates attended a Toronto powerful service led by singers, song keepers and drummers under the direction of El- der Wanda Whitebird.

OFL Secretary-Treasurer Patty Coates and Human Rights & Women’s Director Carrol Anne Sceviour joined powerful vigil for Canada’s “stolen sisters.” Photo: Joel Duff

16 SPRING 2016 • VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 ONTARIO CREATES NEW ANTI-RACISM DIRECTORATE The OFL and Ontario NDP applauded February’s Ontario Government decision to create a new Anti- Racism Directorate to work in collaboration with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. The OFL and NDP had been calling for the re-establishment of an Anti-Racism Secretariat ever since it was abolished by the Mike Harris government in the 1990s, but had recently ramped up this demand as part of this year’s Black History Month celebrations. “By establishing an Anti-Racism Directorate, Ontario has an opportunity to make the WRONGFUL TERMINATION advancement of racial justice a prerequisite throughout the province,” said OFL President OF NEW MOTHER THREATENS Chris Buckley. “However, this Directorate must be given appropriate resources to produce the MATERNITY LEAVE research, expertise and guidance that can truly The OFL responded to a grassroots cam- emotional distress, financial hardship and challenge individual, systemic and cultural racism paign to support respected labour and hu- embarrassment. The OFL also called for a in all its forms.” man rights activist, Gilary Massa, whose em- full audit of the RSU human resources and On Tuesday, February 16, the Ontario ployer terminated her three months into her human rights protocols, with an eye to pre- Government announced the establishment of maternity leave. venting future mistreatment. an Anti-Racism Directorate and named the Massa, who is a woman of colour and For decades, the labour movement has Honourable Michael Coteau as Ontario’s new a Muslim, had been working as an Execu- fought to attain equal opportunity for women, Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism. The tive Director of the Ryerson Students’ Union for people of colour, and for parents. The pro- mandate of the Directorate is to increase public (RSU) since 2009. Citing “restructuring” as vision of a universally enforced and protected education and awareness of racism to create a the cause, she was laid parental leave is one more inclusive province, and apply an anti-racism off without notice in De- Massa has proven her of our movement’s lens in developing, implementing and evaluating cember 2015, after giving greatest achieve- government policies, programs and services. birth to her first child in unshakable resolve by ments. The idea that The OFL responded to the announcement September and never of- fiercely fighting for her parents, especially by calling on the Wynne government to provide fered a secondary position rights at the Human women, have to make proper funding for the Anti-Racism Directorate within the organization. Rights Commission. a difficult choice be- and include Ontario’s labour movement among It was a devastating tween providing a lov- the Directorate’s key strategic partners. blow to deliver to a ded- ing family environment “A directorate is an important step forward for icated staff person during one of the most or having a successful career is a throwback Ontario at a time when racial profiling, racially precious and vulnerable moments in her life to an archaic mentality. motivated ‘carding’ and police shootings of and it sent a chilling message to women and In the face of these adverse circumstanc- racialized people have spurred incredible public new parents everywhere that their right to es, Massa has proven her unshakable re- outrage and given rise to a Black Lives Matter have both a family and career is in jeopardy. solve by fiercely fighting for her rights at the movement that has swept North America,” said The OFL took the unusual step of issuing Human Rights Commission. Several affiliates Ahmad Gaied, OFL Executive Vice-President. a joint letter from the Executive Board, Young responded to the OFL call for solidarity by “Challenging racism is about much more than Workers’ Committee, Women’s Committee issuing their own letters in support of Gilary speaking out against prejudice and discrimination and Workers of Colour Committee to call on Massa and a Mother’s Day rally is planned when we witness it; it is about confronting the RSU Board of Directors to immediately in Toronto on May 8. For information on the systemic racism with concrete government action reinstate Massa to her rightful position and campaign, visit #IStandWithGilary on Face- to remove the barriers to equal opportunity. We provide compensation to account for the book and Twitter. hope this Directorate leads the way to change.”

OFL ACTION REPORT 17 EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS THE OFL TEAM EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE OFFICERS: DAY OF PINK TAKES ON BULLYING Shannon Devine, Executive Assistant Every year, LGBTQ students, workers and By creating a “sea of pink” in their school, their allies celebrate the second Wednesday of these students helped to trigger an international OFL & ODRT DIRECTORS April as the Day of Pink. The OFL called upon movement to challenge homophobic and trans- Melisa Bayon, Campaign Organizer workers across the province to celebrate diver- phobic bullying in schools. Joel Duff, Communications Director sity by wearing a pink shirt and by organizing In Canada, three-quarters of students and 61 Vern Edwards, Health & Safety Director activities to challenge bullying in all its forms, percent of students with LGBTQ parents report Rob Halpin, Director of Research and including homophobic and transphobic bullying. that they feel unsafe at school, according to the Education & ODRT Project Coordinator The Day of Pink got its start in Nova Scotia EGALE Canada national school survey. Laurie Hardwick, Organization Services when two straight high school students saw a “Bullying, intimidation, prejudice and discrim- Director gay student wearing a pink shirt being bullied. ination has an impact on everyone, not just the Jane Liu, Controller The two students decided to wear pink shirts in people who are targeted by it. When we allow Carrol Anne Sceviour, Human Rights and solidarity with their classmate and, a few days members of any community to be marginalized Women’s Director later, got everyone at school to share in this ex- and dehumanized, we contribute to a hidden Elizabeth Smith-VanBeek, Director of pression of support by wearing pink to class. form of violence,” said OFL Secretary-Treasurer Administration Patty Coates. OFL & ODRT STAFF Judy Chow, Executive Secretary (Secretary- Treasurer & Administration) Paulette Hazel, Secretary Brian Morgan, DocuTech Operator Kathy Neumann, Executive Secretary (President and Exec. V.P.) Ethiraju Ramachandar, Secretary / Bookkeeper OFL Officers and staff join the Pride and Solidarity Committee in Sylvia Stewart, Secretary recognizing April 13, 2016 as the “Day of Pink.” Photo: Brian Morgan LABOUR ONTARIO PRIDE EVENTS Apr. 29 – May 8: Guelph Pride Jun. 24 – Jul. 3 Pride Toronto & HUMAN www.guelphpride.com www.pridetoronto.com May 27 – May 29 Elliot Lake Pride Jul. 16 – Jul. 23 Belleville Pride RIGHTS DATES www.elpride.ca www.bellevillepride.ca April 23 Anniversary of the CLC May 28 – Jun. 4 Pride Niagara Jul. 18 – Jul. 23 Sudbury Pride (1956) www.prideniagara.com www.sudburypride.com Apr 28 Day of Mourning for Workers Killed Jun. 18 Kingston Pride Jul. 15 – Jul. 24 Muskoka Pride or Injured on the Job www.kingstonpride.ca www.gaymuskoka.com May Asian & South Asian Heritage Jun. 1 – Jun. 5 Pride Durham Jul. 11 – Jul. 16 Peel Pride www.pridedurham.com www.peelpride.ca Month Jun. 4 Barrie Pride Jul. 16 Brockville Pride May 1 May Day www.barriepride.com https://sites.google.com/site/ May 17 International Day Against Ho- Jun.6 – Jun. 11 Timmins Pride brockvillepride mophobia and Transphobia www.timminspride.com Jul. 14 – Jul. 24 Pride London June 1 Injured Workers’ Day Jun. 11 – Jun. 18 Thunder Bay Pride www.pridelondon.ca www.thunderpride.com Jul. 28 – Aug. 6 Simcoe County Pride June 1-7 Sexual Harassment Awareness www.simcoepride.com Week Jun.11 – Jun. 19 York Pride www.yorkpridefest.com Aug. 3 – Aug. 7 Windsor-Essex Pride June 12 World Day Against Child Labour Jun. 18 Hamilton Pride Festival June 21 National Aboriginal Day www.pridehamilton.ca www.wepridefest.com June 27 National Multicultural Day Jun. 18 Brantford Pride Aug. 15 – Aug. 21 Capital Pride (Ottawa) www.capitalpride.ca July LGBTQ Pride Month www.brantfordpride.ca Jun. 24 – Jun. 26 Kenora Pride Sep. 17 – Sep. 24 Peterborough Pride July 1 Canada Day Facebook “Kenora Pride” www.peterboroughpride.ca Aug. 9 International Day of the World’s Indigenous People This list of LGBTQ Pride events across Ontario is accurate at the time of printing. Sep. 5 Labour Day Please check your local listings for the most current updates.

18 SPRING 2016 • VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 OFL NEWS OFL STALWART RETIRES AFTER 46 YEARS If is almost the end of an era; just a What little personal time Elizabeth had It wasn’t until the OFL had elected its few years short of 50 years of service, outside of the OFL, she donated to her first female officer, Julie Davis, that Eliz- OFL Director of Administration, Elizabeth staff union, OPEIU 343, and the Ontario abeth ascended to the position she has Smith-Vanbeek, has decided to start a NDP. She served as the Southwestern On- held for the last 24 years. During her new chapter as a retiree and volunteer at tario Organizer for Bob Rae’s leadership career, she worked under 22 officers, in- Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. campaign and, after he won in 1982, she cluding six OFL presidents. There is only one thing at the OFL that accepted an 18-month secondment to the “Elizabeth has put a phenomenal effort has been there longer than Elizabeth, party’s fundraising department. in the OFL. In convention years, hers was and that is the building itself. Overlooking “Elizabeth has dedicated half a lifetime the light that was always on, no matter Toronto’s lush Don Valley, the OFL build- to our movement and to our party. That is what time of the day or night,” said Pearl ing has sat like a sentinel at 15 Gervais an incredible contribution,” said Ethel Bir- Sawyer, President, UFCW 1000A and the Dive since May 1, 1968. A little over 18 kett-LaValley, retired OFL Secretary-Trea- OFL’s most senior Executive Board Mem- months later, an 18-year-old Elizabeth surer (1995-2005). “While Elizabeth’s ber. “Elizabeth has served the OFL through Smith started working in the mailroom. physical filing system wasn’t always the many changes, but she has been the one Over the intervening years, Elizabeth tidiest, her mental filing system was sec- constant through thick and thin. Through worked her way up through the ranks ond to none. She stored vast amounts of it all, she maintained genuine friendships to achieve the Federation’s most senior information and historical records in her that transcended politics.” head and her wealth of knowledge will not staff position. Graduating from the mail- be easily replaced.” room to become a secretary, she would eventually become the Secretary-Book- keeper, where she headed up the OFL accounting department for 14 years prior to becoming Director of Administration. Elizabeth’s dedication and “Elizabeth’s commitment and loyalty to our movement is rare indeed. She has loyalty to our movement is devoted 46 years of her life to the work- rare indeed. She devoted ing people of Ontario, but she has occu- 46 years of her life to the pied positions that rarely gave her public working people of Ontario, recognition,” said OFL President Chris Buckley. “The OFL has always been more but she occupied positions than a job to her; she is deeply invested that rarely gave her public in union values and social justice.” recognition. Over her career, Elizabeth witnessed - OFL Pesident Chris Buckley some radical transformation within the labour movement, as it shifted from a male-dominated private sector unions Elizabeth has served the into the public sector. The movement was forced to adjust with the times. OFL through many changes, “It was an incredible time to be a but she has been the one woman trade unionist. One of my proud- constant through thick est moments was when the OFL first and thin. Through it all, JOEL DUFF PHOTO: created five affirmative action seats for she maintained genuine women on the Executive Board,” reflect- friendships that ed Smith-Vanbeek. “I knew that we were blazing the way for significant change, transcended politics. and the women in our movement have - Pearl Sawyer, President of never looked back.” UFCW 1000A OFL Director of Administratrion Elizabeth Smith- Vanbeek is set to retire at the end of April.

OFL ACTION REPORT 19 HEALTH & SAFETY / WCB

HISTORIC LEGISLATION SUPPORTS FIRST RESPONDERS WITH PTSD BUT LEAVES OTHERS BEHIND On April 5, the Ontario government passed In a government submission on Bill 163, called DiNovo introduced five unsuccessful bills to rec- historic legislation to support first responders “Post-Trauma,” the OFL argued that other work- ognize PTSD as a workplace injury. suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ers who face assaults, sexual violence and trau- “This bill is a long time coming and it will go a (PTSD). Tabled by Labour Minister Kevin Flynn, matic events in their daily routines deserve equal long way towards reducing the stigma associated Bill 163, Supporting Ontario’s First Responders protection under the law. The submission cited with PTSD, but it falls short of offering protection Act amended the Workplace Safety and Insur- nurses, paramedics, personal support workers to every worker who faces significant psychologi- creates a presumption that PTSD and subway operators as a handful of the cate- ance Act 1997, cal hazards at work,” said DiNovo. “Nurses, parole diagnosed in first responders is work-related, gories of workers who will see no relief in this bill. officers, bailiffs and many, many others will con- making it quicker and easier access to benefits “All workers suffering from PTSD or other tinue to face a daunting uphill battle to get their and treatment. mental illnesses from chronic stress as a result of injuries recognized, treated and compensated.” That means first responders, like fire-fighters their work need to be treated with dignity, respect and police, will no longer have to prove that their and compensation,” said OFL President Chris The OFL will continue to fight to broaden the PTSD was triggered by tragic situations they see Buckley. “Protecting those who become victims scope of the legislation so that other mental in- on the job, something that can be difficult to do. of PTSD and other work-related psychological injuries are properly recognized by the Workplace Other provinces, like Alberta and Manitoba, have juries will require new enforcement tools for the Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). It is also call- already recognized PTSD as a workplace illness, Ministry of Labour investigators.” ing on the government of Ontario to allow first responders whose claims have been rejected by but Ontario has delayed signing on. The passage of Bill 163 comes seven years This legislation was an important milestone after New Democrat MPP Cheri DiNovo first pro- the WSIB to have their claims re-opened. for workplace health and safety, but the OFL and posed a private member’s bill that would add Read the OFL Submission on Bill 163: http:// the Ontario NDP have been critical of Bill 163 for PTSD to the list of conditions — such as cancers ofl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016.03.08-SUB- leaving many other workers behind. — recognized as a workplace illness. Since then, Bill163.PTSDOFL.pdf NDP BILL CALLS FOR FLAGS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF-MAST FOR DAY OF MOURNING Only weeks before the April 28, 2016 Day of mast on the Day of Mourning, April 28 of each Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the year. OFL Health & Safety Director Vern Edwards Job, NDP MPP Percy Hatfield’s private mem- joined Hatfield in calling for all party support. ber’s bill, Bill 180, an Act to Proclaim a Workers “If this bill is passed in the House, it will go Day of Mourning, passed second reading in the a long way towards generating awareness and Ontario Legislature. discussions in communities across Ontario The Act seeks to require all Canadian and about the needless and tragic toll occurring in Ontario flags outside the legislative building, our workplaces,” said Edwards. “We must make NDP MPP Percy Hatfield and OFL Health & government of Ontario buildings and other these workplace tragedies as socially unaccept- Safety Director Vern Edwards join family public sector buildings to be flown at half- able as those caused by drinking and driving.” members of a fallen worker.

20 SPRING 2016 • VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 MARK YOUR CALENDARS UPCOMING EVENTS APR. 28: DAY OF MOURNING SUMMER: PRIDE EVENTS OCT. 20-23: RISE UP! CLC HUMAN Since 1985, April 28 has been recognized across Throughout the course of the summer, LGBTQ RIGHTS CONFERENCE Canada as the “Day of Mourning for Workers Pride events will be held in cities and towns This conference will bring our movement’s diverse Killed or Injured on the Job.” The purpose of the across Ontario. Read the listing on page 18, but activists and allies together in a unique space that Day of Mourning is two-fold to remember and for up-to-date information, contact your union explores strategies and skills. Together we will honour those lives lost or injured on the job and to for local events, or visit: http://ofl.ca/index.php/ empower and engage workers to build a stronger renew the commitment to improving health and prideevents/ movement based on equity and inclusion, which re- safety in the workplace in order to prevent further flects the changing demographics of the workforce. work-related deaths, injuries and diseases. JUN. 30: OFL’S LABOUR HONOUR Find out more and register now at: riseup2016.ca For events in your community, visit: https://www. ROLL NOMINEES whsc.on.ca/Events/Day-of-Mourning Each year, the OFL adds five retired or deceased OCT. 23-25: CLC NATIONAL trade unionists to the OFL Labour Honour Roll. YOUNG WORKERS’ CONFERENCE MAY 1: MAY DAY AIRPORT RALLY These are activists who made a significant contri- This conference will bring together young work- Airport workers in Toronto are hosting a May Day bution to the trade union movement. The deadline ers, youth activists, and allies to build young rally for $15 and Fairness at Canada’s largest for nominations has been extended to June 30. workers’ power to address the changing nature workplace. 1:00 pm at Terminal 1, Departures. Contact: 416-443-7667 or [email protected] of work, empower young and new leadership in On Facebook, search “Mayday Toronto Airport.” workplaces and unions, and lay the framework JUL. 10: OFL/AIL SCHOLARSHIP for a renewed and growing labour movement. MAY 1-14: MAYWORKS FESTIVAL APPLICATION DEADLINE Find out more and register now at: yws2016.ca The annual Mayworks Festival of Working People The OFL and American Income Life Canada are and the Arts is being held in Toronto from May 1 proud to offer two $2,500 scholarships to OFL to 14, 2016. For an up-to-date event listing, visit: members, or their children, who will be starting www.Mayworks.ca post-secondary education in September 2016. Apply at: http://ofl.ca/index.php/scholarships/ MAY 8: MOTHER’S DAY RALLY FOR MATERNITY RIGHTS OCT. 7 - INTERNATIONAL DAY On Sunday, May 8, join a rally at Toronto’s FOR DECENT WORK Yonge-Dundas square to defend the maternity Save the date now for this important milestone benefits of Gilary Massa, wrongfully terminated where we’ll rally in response to the final recom- by the Ryerson Students’ Union. On Facebook, mendations made by the Changing Workplaces search: “I Stand with Gilary Review. Stay tuned for details!

OFL ACTION REPORT 21 IN MEMORIAM

Lifelong labour activist, autoworker and in 2013, he became active with the Local 222 “Jim’s mentorship from my earliest days as a Durham Region Labour Council President Jim retirees. The union was in his blood. young worker has earned him a special place in Freeman finally lowered his union flag on Mon- Jim became a principal member of his union my heart,” said Erin Harrison, CLC Ontario Re- day, April 4, when he passed away suddenly at flying squad, and he later headed up the Political gional Director. “He had a knack for looking into home at age 61. Education Committee. During the height of the the eyes of young activists and seeing a potential “Jimmy’s principled passion and hearty laugh Mike Harris attacks on workers’ rights and social we didn’t yet see in ourselves. It was a deeply felt will be missed at rallies, marches and picket lines programs, Jim was seconded to help organize commitment to growing the labour movement across the province,” said Chris Buckley, OFL the Kingston Days of Action, where he headed up that never wavered.” President and former President of Unifor/CAW advance work for a rally that drew tens of thou- During his “personal” time, Jim sat on the Local 222. “Jimmy was a go-to guy for anything sands to the streets. Board of the Durham United Way and the and everything political. He showed progressive “Jim was a long-standing dedicated activist Durham Region Unemployment Help Centre. He leadership that gave incredible profile to Ontar- in our union. He would go to the wall to defend also served on the executive of the provincial and io’s labour councils as hubs for regional organiz- workers and demand change for social justice,” federal NDP riding associations in Oshawa and ing. His passing leaves a big hole in our hearts said Jerry Dias, Unifor President. “I always ad- he was involved in too many NDP campaigns to and in our movement.” mired his forth right honesty, passion for politics, count. However, the electoral campaign he was and active approach that helped make our union no-doubt most proud of was the 2014 break- “Jimmy gave incredible profile and the labour movement stronger.” through victory of rookie NDP MPP Jennifer to Ontario’s labour councils as Jim is perhaps best known for his decade-long French in a long-time Tory riding. hubs for regional organizing. run as the President of the Durham Region La- His passing leaves a big bour Council, which he used as a platform for “Jim Freeman broadened giving provincial and national profile to the role our movement one personal hole in our hearts and in our of labour councils. Jim used every opportunity to movement.” connection at a time. He helped pave the way for young activists. build a strong community of Chris Buckley, OFL President Under Jim’s leadership, the Durham Region Labour Council became the first in Canada to activists in Oshawa, by inspiring Jim was known for his easy-going attitude, create a Vice-President position for young work- us to take care of each other, to loudly coloured Hawaiian shirts, and his commit- ers and he later spearheaded an initiative to work and to fight.” ment to community organizing. He grew up in give every labour council an additional Ontario Jennifer French, NDP MPP for Oshawa Oshawa, where family life revolved around the Federation of Labour convention credential that auto industry. Jim’s grandfather started at Gen- was dedicated for a young worker delegate. His “Jim Freeman broadened our movement one eral Motors in 1934, his father worked there for strong leadership among Ontario’s labour coun- personal connection at a time. He helped build a 40 years, and Jim followed in their footsteps. cils got him elected to the Ontario Federation strong community of activists in Oshawa, by in- Over 30 years, he was a member of the Unit- of Labour Executive Board in 2011 and he was spiring us to take care of each other, to work and ed Auto Workers, Canadian Auto Workers, and elected to the Board of the Ontario Federation of to fight,” said Jennifer French, NDP MPP for Os- the newly formed Unifor. Even after he retired Union Retirees in 2013. hawa. “He wanted to build a better world, and he

22 SPRING 2016 • VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 TWO LEFT PHOTOS: PETER BOYLE THIS PHOTO: JOHN MACLENNAN made each of us better along the way. Though “Jim was the real deal – raw and unvarnished. Despite his affable and easy-going demeanor, the ripples of this loss are being felt across the He was a fearless activist who believed in the Jim was stubbornly committed to his principles country, they can’t travel half as far as the reach power of the labour movement but also under- and it was a trait that sometimes gave him cause of his impact.” stood that the full potential of popular move- to rise at a convention microphone in opposition One of Jim’s most important contributions to ments can only be leveraged when labour and to his union or party leadership. However, it was labour and social justice organizing, was the role the community were fused together in solidarity,” precisely this tenacity that earned him the re- he played in helping to create a labour-commu- said Patti Dalton, President of the London and spect of his political allies and opponents alike. nity movement called “We Are Oshawa.” From District Labour Council. “Jim’s work in pioneer- “Jim was a passionate labour council and lo- its inception, Jim was always very clear that We ing the We Are Oshawa initiative really raised the cal leader. Throughout his life, Jim was known Are Oshawa is quite pointedly not a coalition, bar for labour councils across the country and for his commitment to labour and to the NDP. We but a horizontal, democratic membership orga- inspired us to follow the example he set.” could always count on Jim to challenge leader- nization whose political focus is determined by ship with the tough questions that needed to be those members. It brought together a network “We could always count on Jim asked,” said Hassan Yussuff, President, Canadi- of labour, students, community activists, environ- to challenge leadership with the an Labour Congress. “He will be sadly missed, mentalists, retirees and youth to launch creative not only by me, but by everyone who had the campaigns for social change. tough questions that needed pleasure of working alongside him. This is a trag- Never intimidated by the changing times, Jim to be asked. He will be sadly ic loss for our movement.” was an early adopter of social media and used missed, not only by me, but by Jim is survived by his beloved longtime Facebook and Twitter to grow a political move- everyone who had the pleasure spouse, Monique Hayes, and a movement of la- ment outside of the traditional circle of union of working alongside him.” bour and community activists that often felt more activists. However, his skill at adapting to new like family than comrades and political allies. Hassan Yussuff, CLC President technology was defined by his aptitude for the The labour movement, joins the Oshawa com- “social” part of social media. Whether in person munity in mourning the loss of one of its most or online, Jim knew how to connect to people In 2012, Jim was recognized with the first principled and straight-talking activists. and make them feel like part of a broader move- ever Kathie Fowlie Award of Excellence for Com- ment. He frequently called on activists to make munity Building from the Labour Community political events more fun, so that people feel pos- Services of the Durham Region United Way. It We will miss itively about the movement and form the social was a testament to a lifetime dedicated to grow- bonds that keep them involved. ing a movement. you, Jimmy.

With love and solidarity from Ontario’s regional labour councils.

OFL ACTION REPORT 23 Register now for one or both great events hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress:

RISE UP! 2nd NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE Shaw Convention Centre in Ottawa, Ontario October 20 to 23, 2016 Register at riseup2016.ca

Both events will be held on the Algonquin Anishinabek territory.

BUILDING YOUNG WORKERS’ POWER FIRST-EVER NATIONAL YOUNG WORKERS’ SUMMIT Shaw Convention Centre in Ottawa, Ontario October 23 to 25, 2016 THE CANADIANRegister LABOUR at yws2016.ca CONGRESS IS PROUD TO HOST OUR 2nd NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE

Find out more & register at riseup2016.ca