Mohammad Ali raps for college part-timers in new music video

TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2016 /CNW/ - In his new music video, "Same Job," Toronto-based artist Mohammad Ali of Socialist Hip Hop raps about the plight of precarious part-time workers in the province's 24 community colleges.  "Same job, less hours, less pay, less power," he rhymes. "Organize for a say, or watch your rights slip away."

Part-time workers in Ontario colleges have many different jobs – some are lab technicians, library assistants and registration clerks – however all have one thing in common: they work without many of the workplace protections other Ontarians enjoy. 

OPSEU has been fighting for college part-timers' right to unionize for over three decades. In September 2015, the union launched its latest campaign to organize thousands of part-time college support staff.  

OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas thinks the colleges seem to forget that they are public entities, supported by public dollars.

"When the Premier says we need to do something about precarious work, the colleges ought to listen," he said. "There is no better cure for precarious work than giving workers a voice. And there's no better voice for workers than a union."

Marilou Martin, Chair of the OPSEU College Support Staff Division, says part-timers face serious challenges in the college system.

"The situation of Ontarians doing precarious work is appalling. College part‑time workers don't have any paid sick or vacation time. They have no drug benefits and no job security," Martin says. "It's a system that takes blatant advantage of part-time workers."

Part-time college support workers in Ontario can apply for membership to OPSEU directly via www.collegeworkers.org. They are encouraged to check the Facebook group: facebook.com/SignUpOPSEU for updates on the campaign.

Click here to watch Mohammad Ali's video. 

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Video with caption: "Video : In his new music video, “Same Job,” Toronto-based artist Mohammad Ali of " https://www.facebook.com/SocialistHipHop/ " Socialist Hip Hop raps about the plight of precarious part-time workers in the province's 24 community colleges.". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBoEMMgvVs0

Video with caption: "Video: OPSEU has been fighting for college part-timers’ right to unionize for over three decades. In September 2015, the union launched its latest campaign to organize thousands of part-time college support staff. Part-time college support workers can apply for membership to OPSEU directly via www.collegeworkers.org". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7gNMMlMkeI

Image with caption: "A new exciting feature of the campaign is “Level Up!” a fun and interactive game where college workers can learn more about their workplace through articles and quizzes. Players can earn badges and points to take and win prizes including an iPad and a FitBit! To play visit: http://www.levelupnow.ca (CNW Group/Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160223_C2875_PHOTO_EN_627149.jpg

Marilou Martin, Division/Sector Executive, Support Staff Chair, 416-550-0160 ,[email protected]; Mohammad Ali, SocialistHipHop.com, 416-627-5255, https://www.facebook.com/MohammadAliAumeer