GIG WORKERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS

/in /by

Gig workers played an essential role keeping our neighbours safe and keeping the restaurant industry afloat during the pandemic, yet they are denied basic rights at work available to all other employees. Now the Ford Conservatives are attacking all Ontario workers. Recommendations from the Ontario Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee would create a third class of worker with less rights than full employees.

This is a Bill of Rights created by gig workers endorsed by Gig Workers United (CUPW), Uber Drivers United (UFCW), and the Ontario Federation of Labour to outline what minimum rights our governments must guarantee to ensure fairness and non-discriminatory treatment for gig workers.

  • A worker is a worker; Full employment rights with no carve-outs from minimum wage, sick leave, vacation pay and other minimum employment standards.
  • Payment for all hours of work: Paid time from when workers sign in until they sign out of the app with a clear and concise breakdown of how pay is calculated.
  • Compensation for necessary work related expenses to ensure gig workers’ real wages are not reduced below the minimum wage
  • Full and equal access to regulated benefits programs like Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and injury compensation (WSIB).
  • Data transparency: access to all data collected and how the algorithm affects workers, including any forms of discipline.
  • Make all work count: gig work must count towards Permanent Residency applications.
  • Put onus on employers to prove that workers are not employees, instead of workers proving that they are not independent contractors. Enshrine the predictable and purposive ABC test for employment status.
  • Recognize gig workers’ right to form a union, with the union they choose, to have a collective voice at work.
  • Workers must have the right to negotiate for livable wages and benefits with their employer. Real, worker-led sectoral bargaining to enable meaningful collective bargaining to raise industry standards
  • An end to arbitrary deactivations and fair compensation for glitches: Just cause protection against deactivation, access to a clear and free process and enforcement mechanisms for minimum standards. Compensation for technical issues on the platform’s end.

Sign on to support the Gig Workers’ Bill of Rights.

Taken from: https://ofl.ca/action/gig-workers/

Goose with graduate cap

Why Organize UW?

/in /by

The University of Waterloo is one of the last universities in Canada without a union for graduate student teaching assistants, research assistants, contract faculty, technicians, and other academic research and teaching staff positions.

The lack of a union has meant diminished ability to affect our working conditions, get fair wages, lower health and safety protocols, no clear or consistent hiring processes, unchallenged harassment, and no support for mental health services, and dealing with problems with work/overwork alone.

The only way to address these issues and advance the rights of graduate student and other academic workers on campus is to organize a union and negotiate a collective agreement with the university.

Our goals are:

  • Fairness: Transparency, clarity, and standards at work
  • Equity: Enforceable protections for all
  • Security: Job security and clear rules for access of work
  • Safety: A safe and healthy workplace
  • Respect: Recognition as essential academic workers
  • Support: Proper training & supervision
  • Dignity: Improved mental health supports
  • Democracy: A collective voice for graduate workers over working conditions

Together, we can make the University of Waterloo a better space for academic workers.

Sign a card today.

about us fairness anti-racism health and safety access to work workplace democracy working environment

Committee to Organize uWaterloo
supported by CUPE

The Committee to Organize uWaterloo is a grassroots campaign to unionize the academic workers at the University of Waterloo. The campaign is supported by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Canada’s largest union.

Taken from: https://organizeuw.org/post/whyorganizeuw/

Leasing vs. buying a car: What’s best for me?

/in /by

Both leasing and buying have their benefits and drawbacks, so the right choice all depends on your budget, driving needs and lifestyle. We’ve outlined some of the key factors to consider when deciding between leasing versus buying your next vehicle to help you determine which option is best for you.

Read more at www.otip.com/article135.

Students and Workers Demand Safer return to campus

/in /by

Students and Workers Demand Safer return to campus

The Ontario University and Colleges Coalition echoes the concerns of students and workers across the province about unsafe and rushed plans to return to campus. With notice of returning back to in-person learning for some institutions as soon as January 31, students are nervous about inadequate safety plans, the accessibility of continuing with online learning and academic penalties for those who do not feel safe being back on campus. Without access to critical PPE such as N95 masks, uncertainties about ventilation, lack of routine reporting of COVID-19 case counts, and no physical distancing practices, students and workers know that such an abrupt plan to return to campus is not conducive to learning, and it seriously jeopardizes the safety of all campus community members.

Due to college and university administrations lobbying the Ontario government for campuses to have an exemption from capacity limits and physical distancing requirements, students and workers have been apprehensive of the rationale to allow overcrowded classrooms such as 500 person lecture halls with no restrictions being deemed as safe . Students and workers have witnessed the detrimental consequences of disregarding scientific evidence and loosening restrictions too soon. Additionally, many ventilation systems on campuses have not been properly updated or improved to help stop the spread of COVID-19, nor have standardized ventilation improvements been adequately reported.

It is vital that the decision to return to campus respects individual comfort, safety and wellbeing. Although there are students and faculty who are looking forward to returning to campus, others are not confident due to a lack of strong health and safety measures and are nervous and do not feel safe returning to in-person learning. Many students and faculty who are immunocompromised or live in a household with immunocompromised individuals, are not reflected in their administration’s plans to return to campus. Many workers who have continued to be on campus throughout the pandemic also have health and safety concerns that have not yet been addressed, and these must be addressed before campuses are opened to in-person learning.

With little notice, those who do not currently live in the same region or close to their college or university now have to scramble to find adequate and affordable housing, which was challenging before the pandemic. International students are amongst the worst affected as they continue to face barriers like sporadically changing travel advisories and bans, and difficulties in finding housing in the city or regions of their institutions.

Students, faculty and workers demand action from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and the Minister Jill Dunlop to address the numerous health and safety concerns of the plans to return to campus. The numerous health and safety concerns on campuses need to be addressed, and alternative plans must be made available. The following demands should be met before resuming in-person learning on campuses across the province

  • The Ministry and institutions need to ensure equitable access to personal protective equipment, vaccines, and COVID testing
  • Institutions should ensure consistent reporting of COVID-19 case counts, ventilation reports, and all public health guidelines
  • Workers and students should have the right to refuse mandatory in-person classes and have the option of attending online classes without any penalty or wage loss
  • A safer return to campus means students should have longer, more flexible deadlines to drop courses without academic penalties.
  • Institutions are to ensure sick days without academic penalty, mental health accommodations without a medical diagnosis requirement, and flexibility between in-person and virtual classes
  • Institutions must communicate a clear plan and threshold for a switch to remote-learning or a campus closure plan that is informed by public health guidelines
  • Institutions must ensure faculty, staff, and students have access to all the resources to ensure high-quality education for both in-person and online learning.
  • The provincial government must increase public funding for more teaching assistants and lower class sizes

In solidarity,

  • Canadian Federation of Students–Ontario (CFS-O)
  • Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
  • Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA)
  • Ontario Public Sector Employees Union (OPSEU) – College Faculty, Support Staff, and University Sector
  • Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF)
  • Public Service Alliance of Canada Ontario (PSAC Ontario)
  • unifor
  • Ontario Federation of Labor

Taken from: https://campuscoalition.org/post/oucc-safe-return-2022/

gold Laurier leaf

Message to university sector members from the OSSTF/FEESO Provincial Executive

/in , /by

January 31, 2022

To the university sector members of OSSTF/FEESO


Over the coming weeks, Ontario Universities are returning to various forms of in-person work and/or learning, and we want you to know your union is here to support you as you face uncertain days and weeks ahead. Our membership is diverse, and so are the work environments at each of your respective post-secondary campuses.


University students and faculty continue to receive the support and services they need throughout the pandemic because of your dedication. Universities continue to function because of your work and commitment to education.


Many members are feeling nervous and frustrated in light of the provincial government’s actions and inaction throughout the pandemic. We want you to know that amidst this chaotic response, your health and safety, as well as the health and safety of colleagues, students and families, continues to be OSSTF/FEESO’s priority.


As in the past few years, we continue to be a trusted voice advocating for workers, students, communities, schools, and campuses. Your efforts and our collective strength will be critical over the next year. Please continue to seek out assistance and support from your local leaders.


We know the rest of the academic term will be a difficult time for all university sector members, their institutions, and the students they serve. Together, as a united membership, with your dedicated local leaders, we will overcome the challenges that lay ahead.

OSSTF/FEESO Letter to Premier Ford

/in /by

December 31, 2021


VIA EMAIL: doug.fordco@pc.ola.org


The Honorable Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
Room 281
Legislative Building, Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1


Dear Premier Ford,


On December 16, to protect our schools, communities, and families, we wrote you requesting the implementation of a number of measures to stem the surge of the highly infectious Omicron variant. We acknowledged that the measures suggested would require considerable political will, but urged their consideration so that in-person learning, and the considerable benefits it brings to students, could continue in January.


Yesterday, Ontario’s families learned once again that your government still refuses to implement the preventative measures called for by education and public health experts. Given the importance of in-person learning, we share the Ontario Science Table’s view that school closings “should be part of a pandemic control strategy in only the most catastrophic circumstances.”


Ontario’s students cannot afford a repeat of last January, with more school closures and learning disruptions.


We urge you to act immediately and implement the following measures to address COVID-19 in schools, so that students can safely enjoy the benefits of in-person learning:


• reduce class sizes to promote physical distancing;
• increase effective vaccination rates in our school communities by publicly promoting the importance of vaccination for students;
• prioritize access to booster shots for all education workers;
• add COVID-19 to the list of designated diseases in Ontario Regulation 261/13 Designated Diseases under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA);
• improve ventilation and install HEPA filters in ALL classrooms and public spaces in schools and campuses, with publicly available air quality metrics and standards;
• ensure the non-fit-tested N95 mask orders by school boards are filled and delivered immediately;
• provide the best possible masks to all students, with improved guidelines to ensure masking compliance;
• implement stricter screening and isolation requirements;
• implement a more robust testing and contact tracing regime, which includes providing all education staff with regular access to Rapid Antigen Tests, and prioritizing PCR test accessibility for both education workers and Ontario’s students should they register a positive result on their rapid tests; and
• reconsider the short-sighted decision to decrease the isolation period from 10 to five days, as doing so unnecessarily risks reintroducing the virus into school settings.


In addition to these school-specific measures, to reduce the risk of sick Ontarians from infecting their colleagues at work, we ask that you improve the temporary paid sick leave program, as the three days of limited benefits this program provides will be insufficient to prevent workplace outbreaks. We also ask that you ensure all workplaces, especially larger ones, have easy access to testing capacity to ensure employees are tested if they have any symptoms.


As we have previously communicated, we believe current circumstances require additional community-based infection prevention and control measures, as recommended by the Ontario Science Table, including more effective reduced-capacity rules, enforcement of vaccine passports, and masking in all indoor spaces.


These measures are now more necessary than ever for safe schools and sustainable in-class learning. As we have stated many times throughout this pandemic, we urge you to contact us to discuss how we can assist in the implementation of these measures.


Yours truly,
Karen Brown, President
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario


Barb Dobrowolski, President
Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association


Karen Littlewood, President
Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation


Mike Morgan, Chair
Ontario Council of Educational Workers


Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President
Ontario Public Service Employees Union


Anne Vinet-Roy, présidente
Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens


Laura Walton, President
Ontario School Board Council of Unions – CUPE


cc :


VIA EMAIL: christine.elliott@pc.ola.org


The Honorable Christine Elliott
Minister of Health
5th Floor, 777 Bay St.
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3


VIA EMAIL: stephen.lecce@pc.ola.org


The Honorable Stephen Lecce
Minister of Education
5th Floor, 438 University Ave.
Toronto, ON M5G 2K8

OSSTF/FEESO Statement—Ford fails to fortify the public school system to protect students and communities

/in /by


January 3, 2022—Despite the fact that today’s announced restrictions and measures are necessary to help address the Omicron variant’s impact on our health care system, Premier Doug Ford and his government have, once again, failed to recognize all that is needed to keep schools safe. We have known about the virulence of this variant for over a month, and yet, even last week the Premier failed to acknowledge its impact and implement a meaningful plan for schools.
Premier Doug Ford told us today that we need to “brace for impact” but has failed to fortify the public school system to keep communities safe. Today’s announcement does not go nearly far enough. Without increasing access to COVID-19 testing, providing full access to enhanced PPE, guaranteeing priority access to booster vaccines for educators, ensuring HEPA filters are in place in schools, and reducing class sizes to allow for physical distancing, the Premier cannot say he is doing everything he can to protect students, staff, and communities.
Ford acknowledges, “that online learning isn’t ideal.” We are entering the third calendar year of the pandemic, and yet urgent and direct action to implement the required safety protocols to get students back to in-person learning has not happened. With the extended pause of in-person learning, the government has additional time to finally step up and protect students, staff, and communities.
Special education teachers and other education workers, including some educational assistants, custodians and other support staff, are returning this Wednesday to school buildings without assurances that proper safety measures will be in place on time. When students return to in-person learning in the coming weeks, they are still returning to large classes with limited ability to physically distance, varying access to PPE, inconsistent ventilation, and a lack of pro-active rapid testing and reporting.
The government has failed Ontario’s schools by:
• Cancelling contact tracing;
• Reducing access to PCR testing;
• Ending transparent reporting of case counts in schools;
• Excluding schools from occupancy caps similar to those for households and businesses;
• Failing to reduce class sizes to ensure REAL cohorting and physical distancing can be established and maintained;
• Failing to have N95 masks ready for deployment;
• Leaving education workers and teachers without priority access to vaccinations and boosters.
If the Ford government had implemented these protocols months ago, they would not be in this position. Instead, Doug Ford is lurching from crisis to crisis, and continuing to see the erosion of the public’s confidence in the government’s ability to handle this pandemic. We need the Premier to initiate lasting, effective actions to get us through these challenges. Our hope is that this government will provide more information and details to the public in the coming days. Today’s announcement, while necessary, insufficiently addresses what is required to make schools safe.
OSSTF/FEESO will continue to advocate for the safety of students, communities and its members.
Protecting and Enhancing Public Education Protéger et faire avancer l’éducation publique
Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation Fédération des enseignantes-enseignants
des écoles secondaires de l’Ontario
49 Mobile Drive, Toronto, Ontario M4A 1H5
TEL 416.751.8300
TEL 1.800.267.7867
FAX 416.751.3394
www.osstf.on.ca

In-house auto & property claims service makes a difference for our members

/in /by

There are many variables in your daily life that you may not be able to control but when the unexpected happens to you on the road or at home, know that the Curo claims team will have your back. For over 12 years, OTIP has partnered with CURO Claims Services and as a result, members like you have raved about their experience.
“The agent we were dealing with was extremely helpful and expedited our claim far quickly than expected!”
 
About the claims process and CURO Claims Services

  • CURO Claims Services is dedicated to providing members with courteous, fair and professional property and casualty claims service.
  • Experienced adjusters offer 24/7 weather and disaster response, claims counselling for members, and the resources you need during the claims process.
  • Your advocate – With the member being top of mind, CURO can advocate for your situation and claim with increased authority levels
  • Help at every step of the way – As a national adjusting firm with multiple licenses and designations, CURO Claims is able to help at every step of the way. Servicing in both English and French, CURO has a specific focus on working with the education community, with dedicated service available 24 hours helping you during a loss  

 
The steps of a claim:
 
 1. Submitting the claim – Connect with Curo 24/7 Emergency Claims Service for car and home insurance by phone, 1-866-952-2876 or report your non-emergency claim online. An adjuster will follow up with you within one business day to continue the claims process.

 2. Claim investigation begins. After the claim has been reported, it will need to be investigated by an adjuster to determine the amount of loss or damages covered by your insurance policy. The adjuster will also identify any liable parties, and you can help the process by providing any witness information or other parties’ contact information.

 3. Your policy is reviewed. Once the investigation is complete, the adjuster will go through your policy carefully to determine what is and isn’t covered under your policy and inform you of any applicable deductibles that may apply to your case.

 4. Damage evaluation is conducted. In order to accurately evaluate the extent of the damage, your insurance adjuster may hire appraisers, engineers, or contractors to lend their expert advice. Once the evaluation is complete, your adjuster will provide you with a list of preferred vendors to help with repairs. You’re not obligated to hire these vendors, but it can save you a good deal of time and research.

 5. Payment is arranged. After repairs have been completed and lost or damaged items have been replaced, your adjuster will contact you regarding settlement of your claim and payment. The amount of time it takes to receive payment will depend on the complexity and severity of your situation.
 
Looking for a quote on your car or home? Contact your OTIP insurance broker today at 1-888-892-4935 to get a quote.

Employees Donate over $3,000 in the “Spirit of Giving” this Holiday Season.

/in /by

Kitchener, ON – From November 29 to December 3, 2021, ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union staff
members were proud to once again take part in the “Spirit of Giving” campaign by donating over $3,000
to various community groups in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.

Through this annual charitable initiative, ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union staff members were
each provided $100 to donate to a community group, organization or event that is important to them and
helps make a difference in the community.

This year, ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union staff members supported over 20 organizations in our
community, including:

• Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington
• Calvary Pentecostal
• Cambridge Memorial Hospital
Foundation
• Canadian National Institute for the Blind
(CNIB)
• Cystic Fibrosis Canada – Kitchener-
Waterloo District Chapter
• Family and Children Foundation
• Food Bank of Waterloo Region
• Food 4 Kids Waterloo Region
• Haven House
• House of Friendship
• Kids Ability
• KW Counselling Services Inc.
• KW Sertoma Club
• McMaster Children’s Hospital
• Ontario Christian Gleaners
• The Salvation Army
• The Working Centre
• Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention
Council

To view photos and stories from the “Spirit of Giving” campaign, please visit ECU – A Division of WFCU
Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

To learn more about ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union and its community initiatives, please visit
www.myECU.ca.

For more information, please contact:
Beth Ann Prince
Manager, Member Engagement & Community Investment
WFCU Credit Union
519-974-3100
bprince@wfcu.ca

About ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union:
ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union is a member-operated financial co-operative. We provide full
financial services, including a comprehensive Wealth Management program, to members who share the
principles of democratic ownership. Our primary focus is our members – not profits. That’s why we strive
to provide lower or no service charges, higher investment rates, competitive loan rates, and innovative
financial products and services. True to our commitment to our members and community, on October 1,
2020, Education Credit Union (ECU) joined its operations with WFCU Credit Union, becoming ECU – A
Division of WFCU Credit Union, expanding service offerings to anyone living or working in the Kitchener,
Waterloo and Cambridge region, and providing members with increased access to a wider range of
market-leading banking options to further assist them with their financial goals. For more information, visit
myECU.ca.

About WFCU Credit Union:
Based in Windsor and Essex County, WFCU Credit Union has been recognized as a leading, progressive
financial institution since 1940. Proudly serving Ontario residents, community organizations, small
businesses, commercial entities and public institutions for over 80 years, WFCU Credit Union is the sixth
largest credit union in Ontario, and twentieth largest credit union in Canada. WFCU Credit Union operates
nine retail locations in Windsor-Essex, as well as three retail locations in the Waterloo Region through ECU
– A Division of WFCU Credit Union, and one digital entity, Omnia Direct. Through their various service
channels, including online and mobile banking, telephone banking and ATM services, WFCU Credit Union
and its divisions have become the financial institutions of choice for 58,163 members across Ontario,
including 53,767 personal members in 25,249 households, 3,053 businesses and 1,343 organizations.
Currently, WFCU Credit Union has $6.83 billion in Managed Assets and Member Service Totals of $9.3
billion. WFCU Credit Union membership is open to anyone who lives and/or works in Ontario. For more
information, please visit wfcu.ca.

December 2021

Contact

Wilfrid Laurier University Staff Association
202 Regina St. N, Room R121 Waterloo, Ontario

Phone: (519) 884-0710 x2952
Email: wlusaadmin@wlu.ca

Office hours:
Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


CONTACT US

© Wilfrid Laurier University Staff Association | Privacy Policy | Website by Sryde Digital Marketing