Join us in an emergency phone zap!

Gig Workers United

How to phone zap

On March 1, dozens of activists filled the voicemail boxes of Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton and their MPPS.

You can still use the phone tool, to express your opposition to the Conservatives’ Bill 88 and your support for full and equal rights and employee status for app-based gig workers!

Our resistance to regressive labour legislation, and our worker organizing around clear demands for rights and equality, have been making a difference. There were indications that this government would introduce a third category of employment status just to keep gig workers misclassified. They’ve backed off from that.

But this Bill still includes minimum wage for “engaged time only,” which means we’d get paid only when the app decides we’re on-assignment – $15/hour for only a portion of our working time! With a provincial election coming up, we can stop Bill 88 and support alternative legislation that ends misclassification instead!

Follow these steps:

Call 1 – Monte McNaughton

416-326-7600

We’ve made a sample script (also appears on the OFL site where you make the call) – feel free to use your own words, just make sure you specify that you want them to oppose Bill 88 and address misclassification:

  • Hi, my name is ________ and I’m calling about Bill 88 and the OWRAC recommendations released in late 2021.
  • I’m specifically calling about how the bill would have Gig Workers paid minimum wage for only “engaged time” or the part of their working time that their employer designates as “on assignment.”
  • It’s plain to see how this would create downward pressure that empowers bad bosses to pick and choose from basic employment standards and pay effectively much less than minimum wage to more workers.
  • I urge you to drop the bill and the portable benefits task force: we say NO to a second-tier minimum wage, and NO to second-tier benefits. We will remember this action when we go to the polls in June.
  • I stand with gig workers; full and equal rights for ALL.

Call 2 – Your MPP

Open the phone zap tool at https://ofl.ca/action/end-misclassification/ fill in your info in the tool above, and it will connect you with your MPP.

  • Hi, my name is ________, one of your constituents and a supporter of Gig Workers United. I’m calling about Bill 88 and the OWRAC recommendations released in late 2021.
  • I’m specifically calling about how the bill would have Gig Workers paid minimum wage for only “engaged time” or the part of their working time that their employer designates as “on assignment.”
  • It’s plain to see how this would create downward pressure that empowers bad bosses to pick and choose from basic employment standards and pay effectively much less than minimum wage to more workers.
  • I urge you to speak and vote against the bill and the portable benefits task force: Ontario’s labour movement and allies say NO to a second-tier minimum wage, and NO to second-tier benefits. We will remember this action when we go to the polls in June.
  • I stand with gig workers; full and equal rights for ALL.

After you’ve made your calls, sign the Gig Workers’ Bill of Rights at https://ofl.ca/action/gig-workers/ if you haven’t already.

And check out the Order-In Outreach Squad https://www.gigworkersunited.ca/order-in-days.html and https://gigworkersunited.ca/support.html pages to see other ways to get involved!

Thanks for your support!

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