Workers of Colour

March 23, 2013 Angered and frustrated by the contract offer put forward by the LCBO, the LBED bargaining team has called for a strike vote in April more...

January 24, 2013 Black History Month is a time to acknowledge historical figures and movements that contributed to the struggle for all against social injustice and inequality. more...

August 2, 2012 The Region 5 Workers of Colour Caucus invite all members to the first annual Region 5 Barbeque and Family Picnic to be held on August 25 at 11 a.m. at Beaches Park in Toronto. Free food, refreshments, music, and other entertainment will be provided. Don’t miss your chance to meet new members, network and have some fun!

July 25, 2012 The Workers of Colour Caucus invite all members to participate at this year’s Toronto Caribbean Festival to be held on August 4th, 2012. more...

July 25, 2012 The Workers of Colour Caucus invite members to the Region 5 Workers of Colour meeting. The event will be held at the OPSEU Wellesley Membership Center on July 28, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To download the event flyer, please click here...

July 13, 2012 The Workers of Colour and the Asian-Canadian Alliance held the forum “Celebrating Asian Activism and Unity” in recognition of Asian Heritage Month. With photos from event more...

February 6, 2012 The Workers of Colour invite OPSEU members to the Black History Month Forum in recognition of the past and prsent contibutions of Black Canadians more...

President's Message

July 29, 2011 OPSEU has purchased billboard space in the TTC to display its support for the UN’s 2011 International Year for People of African Descent. more...

July 11, 2011 It’s your last chance to register with the OPSEU Workers of Colour float at Caribana! The Workers of Colour Caucus will be at this year's Caribana festival on Saturday July 30, 2011 in Toronto. Particpants will ride with the OPSEU Caribana float and a live DJ. Costumes, food and refreshments will be provided. . more...

June 24, 2011 In celebration of Toronto PRIDE and in support of diverse LGBTTIQ communities, the Workers of Colour Caucus (WOCC) is hosting a free brunch at the Toronto Wellesley Membership Center on Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 10 a.m. more...

May 17, 2011 Asian Heritage Month provides annual recognition and celebration of the presence, heritage and cultures of Asian and South Asian people in Canada. .more...

March 24, 2011 In recognition of the “Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination”, the Workers of Colour call attention to a report co-produced by the Wellesley Institute and the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives that finds a colour-code is clearly still at work in Canada’s Labour Market. . more...

March 22, 2011 In recognition of May Day celebrations, the Workers of Colour invite you to “Up Against the Temp shop” - an early May Day Assembly scheduled for April 4, 2011 at Ryerson University. more...

March 21, 2011 The UN designated March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination in recognition of the tragic events that took place on March 21, 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa when 69 peaceful demonstrators were killed and thousands injured.. more...

March 9, 2011 The first ever Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) Workers of Colour Assembly will be held on March 25 and 26, 2011. This Assembly will provide a safe space for open dialogue about issues that affect each of our racialized communities more...

February 4, 2011 The Workers of Colour recognize Black History Month as a month for all Canadians to acknowledge the past and present contributions of African Canadians more...

Organizations Express Outrage at Maclean’s Article “Too Asian?”

February 1, 2011 The Workers of Colour Caucus adds support to the many organizations and individuals who are calling for an apology from Maclean’s for its recent article “Too Asian?” The caucus says that the Maclean’s article has had a tremendously negative impact on Asian and other racialized communities and has resulted in tensions and ultra-heightened awareness for these communities. Download the OFL letter to Maclean’s

Caribana 2010: Celebrating our histories, Celebrating our diversities

July 8, 2010 OPSEU Workers of Colour Caucus (WOCC) invites you to join the Caribana parade on July 31, 2010. more...

"The growing gap": the role of race and gender in the Ontario labour market

June 10, 2010 According to a study commissioned by the Center for Policy Alternatives, racialized Ontarians are more likely to live in poverty, to face barriers in Ontario workplaces, even when they get a job, and are more likely to earn less and to live in poverty than the rest of Ontarians. The study looks at 2006 census data to describe the labour market experiences of racialized Ontarians. Among the core findings of the study:

Though racialized Ontarians had a higher participation rate in the labour market than non-racialized Ontarians, they faced higher unemployment. That is, despite a willingness to work, the rate of unemployment among racialized Ontarians was strikingly high when compared to their non-racialized cohorts, particularly when gender is accounted for. For example, racialized women had an unemployment rate that was 63% higher than non-racialized women and that was 75% higher than non-racialized men. Of racialized Ontarians that identify as black, the rate of unemployment was 76% as compared to non-racialized Ontarians.
Racialized workers were paid 77.5 cents for every dollar that non-racialized workers were paid. Looking at employment earnings by gender complicates the picture even further. Racialized women earn 84.7 cents for every dollar non-racialized women were paid in 2005; and 53.4 cents for every dollar non-racialized men were paid in 2005. The multiple impacts of “race” and gender likely have a disproportionately negative effect on labour market outcomes.
Often differences in labour market earnings and employment are attributed to differences in educational attainment, immigration status, or other factors other than “race” and gender. However, even when controlling for such factors, differences between racialized and non-racialized groups did not close. For example, first generation racialized Ontarians aged 25-44 who have a university education earned less than non-racialized immigrants of the same age and educational attainment. Where 1st generation racialized women earned $34,337, 1st generation non-racialized women earned $42, 675 as compared to $77, 732 for 1st generation non-racialized men.
Differences in access to employment and in employment incomes are reflected in shockingly higher poverty rates for racialized Ontarians. The statistics indicate that while 6% of non-racialized families live in poverty, nearly three times the share of racialized families, 18.7%, live in poverty.

For the complete report, click here: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/role-race-and-gender-ontarios-growing-gap

Asian-Canadian Labour Alliance celebrates 10th anniversary

June 8, 2010 The Asian-Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA) is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The event will feature live art, film screenings, music and speakers to commemorate the work of Asian labour activists fighting for racial and economic justice.

Wed. June 9, 6-8 p.m.
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education,
252 Bloor St. W.
Peace Lounge 7th floor

Download event poster

Legal community decries proposed refugee reform bill

April 8, 2010 OPSEU’s Workers of Colour Committee has drawn to the union’s attention an informative news release about very troublesome changes to refugee law proposed by the Harper government. more...

News and Events

Asian Canadian Heritage Month Celebrations at OPSEU

Register now for the Aboriginal Workers and Workers of Colour Conference (AWOC)