UWindsor Annual Report 2007/2008

Windsor Workers’ Action Centre (WWAC) is a community organization that consists of workers, students, and activists committed to improving the lives and working conditions of people in low-wage and unstable unemployment.

“WWAC started in February 2007, through the labour studies program, with the support of interested students, faculty and community activists,” said organizer Amy Slotek, a law student. She said the purpose of the centre is to ensure that workers’ voices are heard and treated with dignity and respect.

She said the model has been “popping up throughout North America because people working in non-unionized workplaces can easily be vulnerable to their employers. Thus, WWAC offers a space for workers to organize and get government to enforce current laws and put in place more equitable laws.”

People experiencing problems with their employers, or unsure of their rights in the workplace regarding breaks and wages can contact the WWAC for consultation. The organization is looking to reach out to employees seeking information, interested in organizing, or interested in lobbying the government for more equitable laws to protect workers.

“We’re doing a lot of outreach,” said Slotek, “by connecting with other interested groups and activists in the community.” She added: “We’re also hoping to have a centre established off-campus.”

WWAC is working with similar groups elsewhere in the province to attain solidarity and pressure the provincial government to pursue a number of aims, including raising the minimum wage.

“We really have a terrible situation that currently exists for the poor,” Slotek said. “We hope to campaign until we see the Ministry of Labour actually enforce laws. A surprising statistic published by (a Toronto centre) is that there is currently over $100,000,000 in unpaid wages owed to employees.”