UPDATE:
On April 27, 2020 Foodora Announced that they will terminate all operations in Canada on May 11, 2020. The consequence of Foodora’s decision is an extreme example of what it means to have precarious employment. We created this hardship fund to provide support to couriers who are struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. We must now re-purpose this hardship fund to provide much needed support to couriers who have lost their jobs with only 2 weeks notice in the middle of a global pandemic.
WHO WE ARE
Foodsters United is the Union for foodora couriers in Toronto and Mississauga. With the support of CUPW we've won the right to unionize and are now reclassified as dependent contractors by the Ontario Labour Relations Board. We are continuing to fight for recognition as a certified union local, and as such do not yet have a collective agreement. Our goal is to ensure gig workers have access to workers rights, transparent pay, and improved working conditions.
GIG WORKERS AND COVID-19
As gig workers we are struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Foodora isn't providing us with PPE, enforced contact-less deliveries or access to bathrooms during our shifts. Those of us who are continuing to work now have to pay for any PPE that we can find as well as the normal costs associated with working. Shifts can be difficult to get and wages haven't increased to reflect the risk we take by delivering food to our community.
LEFT BEHIND IN A PANDEMIC
The prohibitive qualifications for the Canada Emergency Response
Benefit (CERB) have prevented vulnerable members from applying. With
the significant delay to updates regarding the CERB for low income
earners we are uncertain if there is any help on the way.Many of our
members have been forced to voluntarily stop working to protect
their health and the health of their families. Those of us who
continue to work are concerned about the consequences of not having
paid sick leave. See our Call to Action to learn about how the CERB
is prohibitive and demand that it's changed to include all couriers.
OUR HARDSHIP FUND
We are raising money to help offset the cost of being a gig worker during a global pandemic. Setting up a hardship fund to provide some financial relief to at risk couriers who are struggling to keep food on their tables, pay their rent, or keep up with the expenses of staying on the road, including bike repairs, gas, vehicle insurance and meals.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
We need your help to provide financial support to unprotected workers. Please make your contribution today! You can give as little or as much as is in your capacity. We are grateful for your support and recognition of the risks that come with precarious work. 100% of donations will be equitably shared with vulnerable couriers that need it most. With your help every gift ensures couriers continue to be able to access basic survival needs.
