Rally for $14 Minimum Wage Outside One of Canada's Largest Temp Agencies

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 11, 2014) - On April 14^th, community members and labour activists will rally outside one of Canada's largest temp agencies as part of a province-wide day of action for a $14 minimum wage.

Temp workers get paid 40% less than directly-hired workers doing the same job, often at minimum wage. A recent Ministry of Labour enforcement blitz showed that 3 out of every 4 temp agencies inspected were violating basic employment standards.

Community members will stack giant "loonies" in front of the temp agency to demonstrate the wage gap for temp agency workers.

Although Premier Kathleen Wynne responded to public pressure and recently announced a minimum wage hike of 75 cents an hour, an $11 minimum wage still leaves workers 16% below the poverty line, locking many workers into poverty. Community members are calling on all parties to pass tabled legislation that indexes the minimum wage to the cost of living, and brings in new protections for temp agency workers.

Actions for a $14 minimum wage and decent work will be taking place in communities across Ontario.

For more information on the campaign, visit: www.raisetheminimumwage.ca.

Follow the campaign Twitter account @fairwagesnow and hashtag #14now.

The Campaign to Raise the Minimum Wage is coordinated by ACORN, Freedom 90, Mennonite New Life Centre, OCAP, Ontario Campaign 2000, Parkdale Community Legal Services, Peel Regional Labour Council, Put Food in the Budget, Social Planning Toronto, Toronto and York Region Labour Council, Unifor and Workers' Action Centre.