Some Labour Day thoughts

Monday September 5th will mark Canada’s 128th official Labour Day. It’s a day for all of us to recognize the role of the Labour Movement in moving us toward a prosperous and fair way of life. It’s a day to remember the role Unions have played in the creation of workplace health and safety legislation, the 40-hour work week, the minimum wage, universal health care and other innovations that were hard-fought but are now integral to our country.

But it’s also an opportunity to recognize what Unions are doing at this moment. Workers are rising up to tell their employers that they are sick of being exploited for profit, and sick of working environments that are unsafe physically and psychologically. And workers are recognizing more so than in the last few decades that the way to fight for a better worklife is together, as a Union. It’s a fight for living wages, for LGBTQ rights, for health and safety, for dignity and respect in the workplace, and more.

You are the Labour Movement. When you attend a Unit Meeting, file a grievance, become a steward, attend a Union Conference, even when you have a conversation with your coworkers about the need to improve how we’re treated at work, you are part of the Movement that is creating our better future.

On Labour Day let’s remember the achievements Unions have already made, the progress Unions are making today, and the successes we will create together in the future.

Labour Day events are being held across the country and all of you are welcome to attend.

http://canadianlabour.ca/events

Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec: active campaigns

In solidarity,
USW Local 1944