My name is Tamie, I am 16 year olds. I am supposed to be working as a lifeguard and swimming instructor this summer at Etobicoke’s Memorial Pool. Instead, as a member of CUPE Local 79, I am  on strike. And on Canada Day, I picketed at the Ingram Transfer Station. Going on strike was not part of my summer plans.

I started off not caring at all about the actual meaning of the dispute: I was there for the strike pay, not to support my fellow workers. If I worked for just four hours a day, five days a week, CUPE 79 would pay me $200. For a student like me, that seems like decent enough money. I soon got a reality check. I am currently scheduled at the York Civic Centre, where I picket in the back parking lot. On my first day, a woman brought along her 2-year-old toddler, for whom she couldn’t find daycare. The second day, I overheard another woman talking about being behind on her phone bill. 

We’ve been striking for nearly four weeks now: $200 times four equals $800, right? In an expensive city like Toronto, $800 barely manages to cover rent, if you’re lucky. On top of that are food, clothes, utility bills, miscellaneous needs and desires.

Some people live from paycheque to paycheque. A strike could cost them their home and credit rating.

You might wonder, “Why are you on strike? And why should I care?”

I’m just pleading for a bit of respect, really. You don’t need to agree with what the unions are fighting for. All you need to do is grant us the basic dignity any human being deserves.

Read her story, click here