Precarious Work Affects Us All!
Since the 1970s, Canada has seen a steady rise in precarious employment, often considered work that is temporary, flexible, contract-based, overseen by employment agencies or jobs that are involuntarily part-time. In the last decade, precarious work has accelerated. These jobs are usually characterized by low wages, unstable work hours, few (if any) benefits, insecurity and contribute negatively to the quality of life for many.
The International Metalworkers Federation's recent week of action against precarious employment (coordinated with the October 7 World Day for Decent Work) was intended to raise awareness of the growth of these inadequate jobs at a time of incredible economic turbulence. Recent job figures in Canada suggest more precarious jobs are being created, when workers are most in need of security and stability.
Affiliate trade union and supporters in over 90 countries took action to raise awareness of precarious work and to ensure governments legislate equal rights for precarious workers and strengthen labour laws to protect the integrity of full-time, stable jobs. Governments were also be told to review social programs with an eye to the impact of insecure forms of employment on everything from public pensions to unemployment insurance.
Workers around the world are demanding change and are holding their governments accountable for the quality of jobs created in a post-recession economy, not just the quantity of jobs. The time to protect and promote good jobs is now!
Do you work in a precarious job? Share your story with us. It may be posted on the CAW website and used as part of a longer term campaign against precarious work.* Send your story, photos or videos to: cawcomm@caw.ca
*Individuals will be contacted prior to any stories being shared publicly for the campaign in order to ensure privacy and confidentiality.
- Precarious Work Affects Us All - Resolution
- Precarious Work - the dangers to workers and how we can fight it
- Precarious Work - the dangers to workers and how we can fight it (Spanish language)
- Precarious Work - the dangers to workers and how we can fight it (French language)
- Job Insecurity: The Corrosive New Normal (Toronto Star, Column by Carol Goar, October 7, 2009)
- Precarious work in Canada - Fact Sheet
- The Perils of a Jobless Recovery (Globe & Mail Article, September 25, 2009)
- The Precarious Economy - (The Mark article by Ken Lewenza and Deena Ladd - October 7, 2009)
- Global Case Studies and Examples of Precarious Work - FNV Downloadable Report
- IMF Precarious Work Poster
- IMF Precarious Work Booklet
- Campaign Guide for World Day for Decent Work - ITUC
Save the Federal Gun Registry! Say NO to Bill C-391
The CAW has joined with hundrds of thousands of Canadians aross this country calling on MPs to vote NO when Bill C-391 returns for third and final reading in Parliament in the coming month. Bill C-391 is a Conservative-lead private members bill intended to dismantle Canada's long gun registry - the existing government program that administers the registration of rifles and shotguns.
It's devastating that the Conservative government is trying to dismantle the national gun registry, with the help of members of the NDP and Liberal parties.
