On Saturday Oct. 25, the Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy is hosting a free event at Let’s Scrabbalatte Board Game Café to celebrate, educate, and maybe even motivate, people working in the ‘gig economy’.
Chances are that you have used an app on your phone to order a service, or to play a game. Chances are you never thought about the people who delivered that service, or designed that game. And chances are, that person was being mistreated at work.
With the lure of trivia, games and prizes to be won, the Sudbury Workers Centre is inviting anyone who is currently working in the gig or gaming economies, or those who think they might be one day, to come and share stories, share a laugh, and learn a little about industries that don’t provide a lot of protection for workers.
“Most people don’t know what they don’t know,” said Scott Florence, the executive director of the Workers Centre.
“They have no reason to think ‘this isn’t right’ or ‘I should learn more’ about this job, this opportunity, this sector. The Worker’s Café’s are designed to attract people for the fun, games and entertainiment, and through that, get them started on a path of learning.”
Melodie Bérubé, caseworker, says, “Misclassification is the most common issue that we see in these industries, workers being told they are independent contractors when they are not. Second, we see a lot of health and safety violations that arise because the work is often about delivering results, quickly, without regard to personal safety.”
This is the first of what will become regular Worker Café events that will target different sectors or populations.
“Our mission is to improve the lives and working conditions of people here in Sudbury” said Florence.
“These cafés allow us to connect with people in a relaxed setting, and have a conversation, rather than just broadcast information about your rights at work. I’m lucky enough to love my job. I want to enable people to love theirs as well. So, let’s talk, let’s play, and let’s see how we can get there.”
The Gigs and Games Worker Café, is Saturday Oct. 25, from 2 - 5 p.m. at Let’s Scrabbalatte Board Game Café, 66 Elm St., Sudbury. Visit www.sudburyworkerscente.ca for details.
For more information on the Sudbury Workers Educational and Advocacy Centre’s fall activities, contact Scott Florence at 705-470-3323, or [email protected].
