WHO ARE WE

Foodsters United is a movement for foodora couriers in Toronto & the GTA to demand and win the labour rights we are entitled to. With the support of CUPW we've won the right to unionize at the OLRB and the vote to unionize our workplace at Foodora. On April 27, 2020 Foodora Announced bankruptcy and the termination of all operations in Canada on May 11, 2020. The consequences of Foodora’s decision was an extreme example of what it means to have precarious employment. It is evidence of the need for our continued fight of justice for gig workers rights.

At our core we are a community of people who care about each other and who know that our precedent setting wins are only successes if we can get through the day to day. Living and working through the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has been difficult for food delivery couriers, especially migrant workers. From Foodora declaring bankruptcy, to uncertain qualifications for CERB/CRB, the general lack of PPE and now unilateral pay cuts on alternate apps, navigating the challenges of being a gig worker has become overwhelming.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

We are raising money for an ongoing hardship fund to ensure that couriers stay on the road with full access to the resources they need and to provide support to those who cannot continue working. Due to the decrease in wages that we've experienced this past year it is difficult for us to take care of each other in this way. We are unable to catch each other as we normally do when a broken phone prevents us from logging on to the app or the bill to repair a vehicle is more than quoted. We're asking for support from the huge community of allies who care about gig workers to ensure that none of us are left behind in a pandemic and changing working environment.

COURIERS ARE UP AGAINST FRIGHTENING ODDS

One courier who will receive support from the hardship fund is an injured bike courier. While cycling in downtown Toronto this August he was thrown off his bike and broke his wrist. As a migrant worker he was afraid to seek medical assistance due to the cost. When he did go to the hospital he learned that he had a serious fracture in his wrist that will keep him off his bike for a minimum of 3 months and may need additional surgery. At the same time he is appealing the denial of his refugee claim. This has been a difficult process for him as his ability to use legal aid was restricted due to receiving the CERB when Foodora left Canada. Our friend has legal bills, hospital bills, and rent bills adding up without any family or the ability to work and pay. Your support today in purchasing a Foodsters United t-shirt or making a donation to the hardship fund will contribute to ensuring that he has a safe home this winter, access to the adequate healthcare and the legal representation he needs to continue building a life for himself in Canada

THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT US, WE NEED YOU

Gig workers around the world are fighting app based employers because we know that the protection of our rights impacts labour rights for many workers. With gig workers in California rallying against Prop22 the necessity of our work is in a global spotlight. We're reminded that as individuals we're powerless but as united workers engaging in collective action we are powerful. Foodsters United is committed to continuing this fight - for all gig workers.

You can show your support for unprotected workers and justice for gig workers. Today you have the opportunity to do this by purchasing Foodsters United t-shirts and posters or donating to our hardship fund. 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. The funds from those purchases will support gig workers as we continue our fight against the gig economy.

Foodora may have left Canada but the problem of the gig economy hasn't and we aren't ready to back down. Stand with us and help us fix the gig economy.