Temporary Agency Worker Organizing in an Era of Contingent Employment

Abstract

This article discusses labour organizing among racialized immigrants and migrants working for temporary labour recruitment agencies in Montreal. It discusses building worker agency, leadership, an independent organization of temporary agency workers and broader campaigns against agency industry practices, often characterized by low wages, poor working conditions, and labour law violations. The article contextualizes these conditions and workers’ struggles within broader historical and contemporary trends in national and global labour, the transformation of work, immigration and economic policymaking at a time of capitalist crisis and austerity. It also highlights the significance of knowledge produced by migrant and racialized immigrant workers as a key resource for strategies for resistance against agency exploitation.

Keywords

• Canada
• immigrant workers
• labour organizing
• migrant workers
• temporary labour agencies