[LINK] "Advance poll workers decry 'absolutely terrible' work conditions"

[rfmcdonald]

This CBC report is distressing, but alas not very surprising.

A couple of Elections Canada temporary workers are calling on the agency to overhaul its labour standards after describing their working conditions during advance polls in Toronto as "awful" and "intolerable."

"It was absolutely terrible," said Kathy Friedman, who worked at a polling station in the University-Rosedale riding.

Workers say they were not allowed to take meal or washroom breaks during the four days of advance polling. There are also complaints that polls in Toronto were understaffed, and even ran out of ballots.

The complaints come after a crush of voters descended on polls across the country. Elections Canada says 71 per cent more ballots were cast compared to the 2011 advance polls.

Friedman says she was given no time to take breaks during shifts that lasted about 10 hours. She says her returning officer also threatened to withhold three days of pay after Friedman asked to take a break.

Another worker who spoke to CBC News on the condition of anonymity said her Toronto-St Paul's station was so understaffed that the polls were forced to close when even a single worker left for a break.

"We were totally taken advantage of," the worker said. "This is like what they do to people to make them want to quit."