Workers in Montreal Want Better Jobs

May 16, 2026, 12:30
CanadaSociety

Introduction

Some dancers in Montreal want to stop working for a short time. They want better rules for their jobs.

Main Body

The dancers do not have a fixed salary. They only get money from customers. They also pay money to work every night. They want to be official employees. This means they want the law to protect them if they get sick. Managers tell the dancers what to do. But the dancers do not get the benefits of a real employee. They want this to change. Many people visit Montreal for the Formula 1 race. The dancers want to strike during this time. They think more people will see their problem then.

Conclusion

The dancers may stop working during the big race to get better pay and safety.

Learning

💡 The 'Want' Pattern

In this story, the word want is used many times. At A2 level, you use this to talk about goals or needs.

The Rule: Person + want/wants + thing or action

Examples from the text:

  • Dancers want better jobs. (Person →\rightarrow Thing)
  • They want to stop working. (Person →\rightarrow Action)

🛠️ Simple Word Swaps

Look at these words from the article. They are very useful for talking about work:

WordSimple Meaning
SalaryMoney you get every month
BenefitExtra good things (like health insurance)
StrikeTo stop working to ask for change
ProtectTo keep someone safe

⚠️ The 'Do Not' Shortcut

To say 'no' for things happening now, we use do not (or don't).

  • The dancers do not have a salary.
  • The dancers do not get benefits.

Sujetightarrowextdonotightarrowextverb\text{Sujet} ightarrow ext{do not} ightarrow ext{verb}

Vocabulary Learning

workers
people who do paid jobs
Example:The workers built the new bridge.
dancers
people who dance
Example:The dancers performed at the festival.
stop
to cease doing something
Example:He decided to stop smoking.
working
doing a job
Example:She is working on her homework.
short
not long in duration
Example:The meeting will be short.
time
a period during which something happens
Example:We will meet at 3 o'clock, a good time.
rules
guidelines that must be followed
Example:The rules say you must wear a helmet.
salary
regular payment for work
Example:He receives a salary every month.
customers
people who buy goods or services
Example:The customers were happy with the service.
pay
give money for work or services
Example:She will pay the bill.
night
the time after sunset until morning
Example:The lights go on at night.
official
recognized or authorized by a government
Example:The official document was signed.
employees
people hired by a company to do work
Example:The employees received bonuses.
law
a rule made by a government to guide behavior
Example:The law protects citizens.
protect
keep safe from harm or danger
Example:The charity will protect the animals.
sick
not healthy or feeling ill
Example:He felt sick after the meal.
managers
people who run or supervise a business or organization
Example:The managers plan the schedule.
tell
to say or inform
Example:She will tell you the news.
benefits
extra good things or advantages for employees
Example:The benefits include health insurance.
real
genuine or authentic, not fake
Example:The real treasure was friendship.
employee
a person who works for a company
Example:The employee worked hard.
change
to make different or alter something
Example:They will change the policy.
visit
to go to see a place or person
Example:We will visit the museum.
race
a competition to see who is fastest
Example:The Formula 1 race was exciting.
strike
to stop working to protest or demand better conditions
Example:The workers will strike tomorrow.
problem
a difficulty or something that needs a solution
Example:The problem needs a solution.
safety
the condition of being protected from harm
Example:Good safety reduces accidents.