The final long weekend of the summer makes for one for reflection on labour and the impact of the labour movement on the lives of those that are employed in British Columbia and across Canada.
More than just an end of summer milepost, Labour Day provides the opportunity for a look into the history of labour in the past, a review of the struggles for workers rights and the growing footprints that the labour movement leaves on the political scene both provincially and on the national scene.
Prime Minister Trudeau starts off the political salutes of the day, with thoughts on the achievements made through the labour movement and the importance of the workers of the nation to its success.
“On Labour Day, we celebrate Canada’s workers and the major achievements of our country’s labour movement. Today, thanks to generations of labour activists, Canada’s workplaces are safer, more equitable, and more just. We honour the dedication and determination of the labour movement, and continue to stand with workers from coast to coast to coast.
“Canada’s workers have been the backbone of our country for generations. From building crucial infrastructure, to providing the services we rely on, our workers make Canada strong. Year after year and across every sector and industry, they grow our economy and strengthen the middle class at the heart of our country’s success."
The Prime Ministers full statement can be found here.
Nationally, the salute to the labour movement was also the domain of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour who delivered some further federal notes on the day.
Premier Horgan offered up one of the early testimonies to the Labour Day Weekend, releasing his statement in tribute to Labour Day on Friday.
“On Labour Day, we celebrate and honour the working people who have fought, and continue to fight, for workers’ rights and better lives for everyone, in every workplace.
We still have a long way to go to make B.C. jobs work better for people. But we’re making important progress."
The Premier's complete notes for the province can be explored further here.
BCGEU President Stephanie Smith provided a look at some of the past for her membership and a reminder of the work ahead for the labour movement in the province.
Labour Day is a moment to appreciate how much workers have accomplished since Canada's first Labour Day event in 1872-when unions were still illegal-and since Labour Day was declared a national holiday in 1894. Everything from paid vacations and sick leave to occupational health and safety regulations and protections from bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace are part of our current reality because of the efforts and sacrifices of working people.
Labour Day is also a moment to acknowledge how far we have left to go to create a society where all working people are truly respected and protected. There is still progress to be made, and our ability to create the future we want depends on the actions we take right now.
The full text of her address to the membership can be viewed here.
The National Labour union UNIFOR, one of the largest in the ntation, is celebrating it's Fifth Anniversary today, marking the five years that have passed since the Labour movement in Canada saw one of its largest organization periods.
That merger of unions has made for the theme for UNIFOR's Labour Day focus today.
Locally, the UNIFOR presence is most reflected in the merger with UFAWU of a few years back, which created the UNIFOR-UFAWU collective to continue to advocate for workers of the North Coast fishery.
The growing footprint of the labour movement from the Prince Rupert waterfront is now making for the largest presence of labour on the North Coast, particularly among the port related terminals and occupations that are being created in the region.
As well, the labour movement is also finding success with the increased levels of public service employment in the region.
On the North Coast, Mayor Lee Brain took to his social media site today to offer his salute on behalf of the City of Prince Rupert to Labour.
Somewhat surprisingly, the day's observation have so far gone (by mid morning) without comment on Social Media from MLA Jennifer Rice or MP Nathan Cullen, both of whom count on strong labour support among their political base across the region.
Labour Day is observed in many forms across the country, some communities host parades and picnics, while others tend to make use of the day away from their labours to enjoy the time with their families and friends, Prince Rupert following that theme more than the larger expressions of other locales.
You can get a sense of the nationwide observations from the #LabourDay2018 twitter feed
More items of note related to Labour issues on the North Coast can be found on our archive page here.
For those within the Labour movement, as well as those who work outside of it, if today is indeed a day of rest, enjoy the opportunity for time with family and friends that Labour Day provides for.
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