Labour Day is a time to remember our roots as a labour movement.
"Skyrocketing inflation, stagnant real wages and an exhausted work force have revived a dormant labour movement.”
That’s what the Globe and Mail wrote about Canada’s labour unions last year. Now, while part of that statement may be true, AUPE members know there’s nothing ‘dormant’ about Canada’s labour movement.
Whether its having a coffee break conversation about our working conditions, volunteering to phone bank for an information picket, or marching in front of the legislature, the labour movement is awake and active.
“Labour activism isn’t ancient history,” says AUPE Vice-President Darren Graham. “Numerous employers, including the government, have demanded wage rollbacks, threatened our pensions, and forced us to work full-time hours with part-time protections, but we fight back because we know change comes from us. We are the labour movement.”
Labour Day isn’t just a long weekend or another day off before the kids have to go back to school (not like that’s a bad thing). It’s a day that calls us to remember and celebrate the sacrifices workers have made to make life better and safer for all of us.
The origins of Canada's Labour Day as a holiday goes back to April 15, 1872, when the Toronto Trades Assembly organized Canada's first significant demonstration for worker's rights.
Workers demanded the release of 24 Toronto Typographical Union leaders. The leaders were imprisoned for striking to campaign for a nine-hour working day from the city's publishers instead of the 12-hour, six-day week.
Later, a second demonstration happened in Ottawa, leading to the change in labour laws and the repealing of bans on trade unions. While it didn’t achieve its goal, unions – now legal – began to demand fair wages, working hours, and safer workplaces.
While times have changed, the labour movement is fighting for the same causes today.
“Numerous employers, including the government, have demanded wage rollbacks, threatened our pensions, and forced us to work full-time hours with part-time protections, but we fight back because we know change comes from us. We are the labour movement.”
According to the Competition Bureau, Canada's three largest grocers — Loblaw, Sobeys, and Metro — reported more than $100 billion in sales and earned more than $3.6 billion in profits last year. All these billions are made off the backs of workers, yet the company owners still won’t pay decent wages.
Workers are also burning out—mentally and physically—due to heavy workloads and short staffing. Many say changes must be made to the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations and Code (ARC) enforcing the employer’s responsibility to adequately staff worksites.
With over 80,000 AUPE members preparing for bargaining in 2024, now is the time for workers to build on the legacy of Labour Day, grow our momentum and focus on the tough fight ahead of us.
This is our moment.