The Workers' Action Centre is a worker-based organization committed to improving the lives and working conditions of people in low-wage and unstable employment. We want to make sure that workers have a voice at work and are treated with dignity and fairness.

Thousands of workers in Toronto are struggling to make ends meet. We are recent immigrants, workers of colour, women, youth and workers in precarious jobs. Most of us don't belong to unions because we work in small workplaces, work as temps, are on contract, independent contractors or unemployed. One week we may be juggling 2 or 3 jobs while next month there is no work or income. When we are able to find full-time work, there is little protection on the job if we are facing unfair conditions or not being paid what we are entitled to.

The Workers' Action Centre provides a new way for people to join together to fight for fair employment. People who are directly affected by poor working conditions should be the ones providing leadership in our struggle for fairness and dignity at work.

The Workers' Action Centre!

Solidarity
We bring workers together to improve working conditions and wages and to make sure the government doesn't ignore our rights.

Changing our labour laws
The laws covering workers don't really protect us and the government is not doing enough to enforce the weak laws that do exist. One in three employers break the law, often with no penalty! That's why our members get out into neighbourhoods and workplaces to talk to other workers about how we can support each other and get organized. The Centre also works together with other organizations who are fighting to make laws and enforcement stronger so that working conditions are improved and wages increased.

Advice and support
We provide advice and support through a phone line where you can get information on your rights, whether you are a temp worker, not being paid your wages or face other work-related problems. More importantly, we will help you deal with a difficult boss or a problem at work.

Education
We organize workshops and produces information on workers rights in many languages. It helps if we know our rights. But we also talk about what to do to protect ourselves even when the law isn't working for us.

Organizing
Our voices are stronger together. If we want to pressure the government and employers for change, they need to hear from many of us that there are problems. We want to make sure employers follow the labour laws and that government works to improve protection for us in the workplace. The government and employers need to hear the voice of workers who are directly affected by bad working conditions and low wages.

For more information, please read our 2006 Annual Report

If you have a question or want to get involved, contact us!

The Workers' Action Centre was formed in the spring of 2005 by the merger of TOFFE (Toronto Organizing for Fair Employment) and the Worker's Information Centre.