Urban Worker Project is like a union for Toronto freelancers

Toronto is a city filled with freelancers - you know, those people typing away on their laptops at your local coffee shop.

Over half of all new jobs created in this country are precarious positions, including part-time, temporary, contract, freelance and self-employed positions. The vast majority of these workers lack job security, benefits and support from advocates.

The latter is big issue, as this disparate workforce tends to lack representation, which makes it nearly impossible to make headway when it comes to fighting for worker rights. This is where The Urban Worker Project comes in. The newly formed group will campaign on the behalf of the precarious workforce.

The mandate is straightforward. The organization wants to help freelancers and other contract workers to gain access to health and dental benefits, parental leave, shareable workspace, and protected contracts.

Co-founded by former MP Andrew Cash, the initiative has launched its first campaign under the heading of "Fairness for contract workers." The online petition can be found here, which provides a decent overview of the group's aims.

The official launch party this Friday.

by Derek Flack via blogTO