In May 2019, We Are Oshawa voted to endorse the Green New Deal. This campaign has inspired people across this place they call Canada to stand up and work together for a future of climate justice rather than destructive capitalism. We believe that the Green New Deal framework fits our community's needs. We want Oshawa to join the fight for climate justice. A Green New Deal for Oshawa would include nationalizing the General Motors Car Assembly and converting the empty plant to a worker-controlled factory to build electric vehicles; energy efficient, safe and affordable housing; a vibrant local food system; and convenient, accessible, zero-fare transit.

Today the Ford government announced its plan to roll back improvements to workers’ rights. The omnibus “Making Ontario Open for Business Act” makes it clear that workers are little more than liabilities on the balance sheet.

The pro-business legislation freezes the minimum wage at $14 per hour till 2020. It repeals most of Bill 148, including the two paid sick days for workers and pay equity for part-time employees. It cancels the 10 personal emergency days and scraps the Ontario College of Trades which governs apprenticeships in the province. And it repeals changes to the Labour Relations Act that had made it easier for workers to join a union.

We Are Oshawa has been an active participant in the Fight for $15 and Fairness campaign.

As a community organization with a focus on lifting people up – up out of poverty, out of homelessness – we believe that a living wage, fair treatment and job security are key to achieving those goals.

We condemn today’s action by Doug Ford and his Conservatives. We will be working with the Durham Region Labour Council and other labour and community organizations to let this regressive government know we won’t be silent.

Watch our Facebook page for more on making your voice heard.

Here’s a quick summary of what happened at our latest Membership Meeting:

We were pleased to have 19 people in attendance for this meeting including several new faces.

Elections were held to fill two vacancies on the Executive Committee. Tom Mitchell and Liam Mullins were elected. The membership thanked Sawyer Arnold and Kaitlin Namek for their contributions.

Hey folks!

After a great afternoon with community and friends at Memorial Park on Labour Day, We Are Oshawa is looking to build on that energy as we redefine who we are in this great city, and plan what comes next for our organization.

Over the years, we've had considerable successes in mobilizing the community to join our fight - to keep door-to-door postal delivery, to have universal and accessible childcare, and to increase the minimum wage and employment standards for all Ontarians. And as we continue the fight for $15 and Fairness, we must always keep one eye on the future.

We are at an exciting time of renewal in our organization. We hope to recommit to empowering and mobilizing the residents of Oshawa to become active agents for social change in our community. But as many organizations step forward to also do this work, it is important for us to redefine our role and place in the community. It's time to refocus our efforts, to expand our reach, to communicate more widely, to have an even greater impact!

We cannot do that alone. We need thinkers, and doers! We need people with energy, and ideas. We need you!

Please come to this important general meeting where we will discuss the direction of our organization, as well as elect 2 new Board members to join in this important work. Bring a friend!

WHEN: Sunday, September 23, 2018 - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

WHERE: UOIT DOWNTOWN CAMPUS 61 Charles St. Room DTA220

A great day at the Labour Day Picnic! Thanks to everyone who stopped by.

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY!

We’re currently taking some time to review our purpose to better define our place in the community.

We want to build our capacity and community engagement to make us more effective in helping Oshawa to become a progressive and compassionate city. And we need to hear from you!