New centre helps protect workers' rights

A new non-profit organization in Sudbury hopes to protect workers' rights, as more people in the community enter non-unionized, part-time and contract work.

The Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre was incorporated in 2013, but hadn't really kicked off until this year, said its executive director Nicole Beaulieu.

Beaulieu, who is the centre's only full-time staff member for now, has only been at the job for a couple of months.

But that has not deterred her from advocating for Sudbury workers.

Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre helps workers understand their rights and navigate legal and bureaucratic systems if they require assistance.
“We do educational workshops on workers' rights and employment standards,” Beaulieu said.

The centre can also help workers file Workplace Safety and Insurance Board claims, or offer assistance in other workplace-related areas.

While it does not have any lawyers on staff, one of the centre's seven board members is a labour lawyer, and Beaulieu said they have fostered relationships with other not-for-profit groups that can offer legal advice.

“We think there's a great need for (our service) because precarious work is becoming the norm everywhere,” Beaulieu said.

She said young workers, in particular, often don't know their rights, which makes it easier for employers to take advantage of them.

To help inform young workers of their rights, Beaulieu said the centre plans to visit high schools in 2015 to present educational workshops.

A grant from the United Way helped launch the centre, and an additional grant from the Trillium Foundation supports Beaulieu's position.

The centre is active on Facebook, and has an official website.

Workers who require assistance can also reach the Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre by calling 705-470-3323.