Local 1000A is strongly encouraging all our members and allies to speak out against the City of Toronto’s proposal to force retail workers to work on statutory holidays.
These include New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
In a joint submission to the City of Toronto Councillors and the Toronto Economic Development and Culture Department, Local 1000A, Local 175 & 633, and Local 12R24 strongly opposed any proposed legislation that would permit shopping on statutory holidays.
“Allowing holiday shopping is the proverbial slippery slop that will further reduce the rights of working people in Ontario, and perhaps across Canada, to spend time with their family and friends,” the submission noted.
Local 1000A President Pearl Sawyer strongly encouraged members to make their voices heard by filling out a City of Toronto SURVEY set up to receive community feedback.
“We need each and every one of you and your family members to go online and fill out this survey,” Sawyer said. “This is an attack on retail workers in the City of Toronto, and we all need to do what we can to stop them so this issue doesn’t spread to other communities.”
Sawyer said retail workers in this province already work hard to make ends meet.
“Retail workers work all types of hours, shifts, and days,” Sawyer said. “They deserve to have the same statutory holidays everyone else has so they can spend some quality time with their families.”
Sawyer encouraged members and their family, and friends to CONTACT their city councilor through phone, email or by letter and let them know their opposition to forcing workers to work on statutory holidays.
“City officials talk about fairness- where is the fairness in forcing only retail workers to work on these statutory days. It should be a holiday for everyone,” Sawyer said.
