On September 6, Canadians across the country will celebrate Labour Day with friends and family, and continue a long national tradition that goes back nearly 120 years.  Certainly a lot of things have changed for working families since the early 1880s, but the idea of working people coming together for justice and progressive change is just as meaningful and relevant as it’s ever been.

The earliest Labour Day Parades focused on political action. They were social events for sure, but they were organized to send a very strong message to elected officials. Workers organized, assembled and took to the streets to give politicians and corporate leaders a glimpse of the public’s power and to make it very clear that working families have needs that can’t be ignored.  By mobilizing large numbers, the labour movement compelled lawmakers to bring in changes that benefited working people and contributed the creation of a better, healthier society.

Today’s governments aren’t working for working people. At every level of Canadian government, we have politicians and political parties in office who don’t represent the interests of everyday families, and who refuse to pass laws or support policies that would lend themselves to building stronger communities.

This Labour Day we need to enjoy ourselves and spend time with family and friends as always, but we also need to remember that September 6 is a day for organizing and demonstrating the solidarity and power of working people. With municipal elections soon to be held in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and PEI, and a federal election coming anytime, we must mobilize ourselves politically to make sure the country’s political agenda reflects our interest as workers and proud trade unionists. 

Mobilizing the movement starts with encouraging friends, neighbours and co-workers to take active roles in the political process by supporting progressive candidates and by reminding politicians that working people united create a positive force that cannot be denied.

Happy Labour Day!

{AG}test_galler3{/AG}


In solidarity,

Wayne Hanley

National President

Vol. X No. 34 • August 30, 2010