Join hundreds of labour and community activists in the struggle for good jobs for everyone in Canada’s largest urban centre. * Labour Council
THE NEW GLOBAL ECONOMY is rapidly changing the world of work.
What is happening to the principle of decent jobs, living wages, equity
and a secure future for all?
What will it take to improve living and working conditions in
Canada’s largest urban centre? Join with labour and community
activists who are on the front lines in the fight for good jobs, as we
share experiences and help craft winning strategies.
The Summit on Good Jobs will be one part of a long-term effort to
tackle the pressing issues of social equity and economic justice in the
21st century.
Keynote Speakers
Dave Foster, Executive Director of the Blue-Green Alliance in the U.S.,
a unique partnership of the Steelworkers and Sierra Club that is on the
leading edge of developing good jobs in the new green economy. http://www.bluegreenalliance.org[4]
Deena Ladd, Co-ordinator of the Workers Action Centre which has been a strong voice of justice for the growing number of workers in precarious employment in the Toronto region. www.workersactioncentre.ca[5]
Choosing Your Workshop
The Good Jobs for All Summit will involve participants in developing
an action plan to tackle the key issues around jobs and decent work.
Workshops are divided into six themes, with each providing an
opportunity for input from people’s lived experience.
Skills, Training and Professions: Covers
everything from apprenticeships in construction and other trades; to
nursing, teaching, engineers and other professions; to health and
safety training. Over half the workforce in Toronto has post-secondary
education, and the torrent of new technologies mean we can never stop
learning.
Community + Economic Development: Manufacturing is
still the largest sector in the GTA economy. How do we protect those
jobs in the global economy? Green jobs, local procurement, and fair
trade deals are all part of the solution. So too are good jobs in other
sectors – from culture to retail to hospitality.
Immigration Policy and Labour: People have come
from over 170 countries to make this region their home. Who decides on
the rules? With the expansion of the temporary worker program, business
is seeking to exploit a new pliable workforce. The fight for immigrants
rights is essential for a just society, while the knowledge brought by
newcomers can bring new strength to our movements.
Precarious Work: The massive use of temp agencies
is changing the reality of work. Outsourcing, competitive bidding, and
contract work are eroding work standards in every sector. There is huge
pressure on the government to limit and control these abuses – but will
it be enough to bring back stable full-time jobs for the next
generation?
Employment Equity: The principle of ensuring that
everyone has access to good jobs is easy to agree with but hard to put
into practice. What is happening in different workplaces, and how do we
make sure that nobody is being left behind in this globalized economy?
Public Services: A just society must have a
foundation of strong public services, including education. The dominant
corporate agenda has relentlessly attacked the public sector and public
employees, yet most Canadians value what we need for the “public good”.
It’s time to rebuild and expand our common wealth.
Registration is $50 and includes lunch. Is free for students, community activists and the unwaged.
