Fight for 15: The Rise of a Working Class Movement

workers are finding it hard to put food on the table and pay the rent while many others, specifically women are forced to stay in unsafe relationships because they cannot afford to leave

On Friday november 27th, workers across Canada and the U.S  took part in rallies, marches, workers forums and blocades to demand 15 dollars an hour minimum wage, dignity and the right to unionize.

Right now across Canada and the U.S there are hundreds of thousands of workers in walmarts, hotels, food services,etc who work  long hours for little pay and with no union rights. Many of these workers are finding it hard to put food on the table and pay the rent while many others, specifically women are forced to stay in unsafe relationships because they cannot afford to leave. These situations are not right and that is why we workers must fight and organize to demand a living wage, dignity and the right to unionize

Here in Alberta, the NDP has promised to raise the minimum wage to $15/h but only over 3 years. This is not good enough!!! We Demand that the NDP government raise the minimum wage to #15/h now!!

During the process whereby the Government heard from Albertans about the raising of the minimum wage, there were 3 groups that demanded a raise in the minimum wage now. The government had the process stacked with business lobbies and right wing groups while they only talked to a few workers groups.

On Nov 27, Black friday, as part of the growing movment for $15/h, an adhoc group of workers, involved in the Fight for 15 campaign, held a lively rally and leafletting at the Malborough LRT station where we talked to many workers about the need for better pay and better work conditions. Many of the responses we got from workers and the people walking by were encouraging. As the economy worsens and workers feel the pinch, workers are starting to talk and organize to defend their rights.

Durring the last federal election, we Canadians may have removed Haper from power but we are still suffering from Harperism, A.K.A an anti social offensive against the workers. As the new government continues to tell us that real change comes from on high, we workers need to continue to organize and make it clear to all that  that real change happens when workers occupy that space for change

After our successful action we workers reconvened in a local resturant over coffee to discuss how to move forward. We will continue moviing forward with our eyes on the prize. We Demand $15 dollars an hour now, dignity, and the right to unionize!!!
                                                       Aaron Doncaster

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