Labour group calls on Fedeli to work on 'a disaster proof social economy'

The North Bay and District Labour Council, in an open letter, is calling on Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli MPP Fedeli, to "use your position of power and influence, as a key member of Premier Ford’s inner cabinet, to bring forward ideas that help working families the most."

The call comes on the eve of the observance October 7 of the global importance of decent work.

The World Day for Decent Work was started in 2008 by the International Labour Organization and since then millions of people have taken part in global demonstrations to stand up for decent work.

"MPP Fedeli, you have critical work ahead when it comes to keeping people safe in our communities during the stages of COVID-19 recovery. Since the global pandemic started back in the winter of 2020, we’ve learned first-hand about the fragility of our social economy," says the letter.

"When the pandemic hit the hardest, those with decent and stable employment weathered the financial fallout; but those working low-wage, precarious employment were hit the hardest."

The Council says close to 25 per cent of working people in and around North Bay are affected.

"Now that we’re in stages of COVID-19 recovery, families continue to see the need for increased safety and social security—we’re seeing the need for a disaster-proof social economy—and it begins with decent work as the driving force of sustainable economic growth.

"As the conservative Ontario Government prepares for the 2021 budget, the time for bold, progressive worker-based policy is now."

The Council wants the government to "put an end to the monetization of labour brokering by strengthening the rights of temp-agency, seasonal, and migrant workers and by restoring equal-pay for equal-work legislation. Close employer loopholes by making companies at the top accountable for all their workers, especially when they subcontract for labour. Expand temporary, pandemic pay-style leaves, making it affordable when parents stay home to care for ill or symptomatic children. Make it illegal for governments to create legislation that intentionally undermines and circumvents collective agreements like the recent bill 195. Finally, make it easier for workers to join unions through simple card signing and by allowing for bargaining across franchises and subcontractors."