Happy Labour Day!
Another Labour Day amidst a global pandemic, unable to celebrate in our normal fashion, BUT we will CELEBRATE! Looking back over the past 18 months, reflecting on sacrifices and accomplishment’s that were made by so many workers taking care of us when we were ill/affected by the virus, ensuring our safety, making sure food was available and keeping society functioning shows not only dedication to others but also proves that we, workers, will be responsible for the recovery of the economy. The Grey Bruce Labour Council has absolute admiration for all workers, but particularly recognizes the effort of the essential and frontline workers who kept working tirelessly throughout the pandemic and continue to do so today.
All workers are celebrated on Labour Day, today we celebrate not only our accomplishments of the past 18 months but all of those in history. Many rights we enjoy today were fought for and won, minimum wages, overtime pay, workplace safety standards, maternity and parental leave, vacation pay, protection from discrimination and harassment are just a few examples of what labour can do. We will do it again, together, as we recover from COVID-19, we will fight for as strong recovery plan that includes living wages, benefits like paid sick leave and pensions for all workers, universal, affordable child care, and we will fight to end decades long inequalities that has long plagued marginalized workers, particularly women of colour, workers with disabilities, and many others. We will fight for the end of injustice for Indigenous, Muslim and all racialized communities, together we will lead the way and there is no doubt we will prevail.
The pre-pandemic world wasn’t working for everyone, today we commit together that we will lead the recovery and we will lead the way to a better future for all. On this Labour Day amidst a global pandemic and a world full of injustice, I urge you to take the time today, to not only reflect and celebrate the accomplishments of the past and those of today, but to commit to helping ensure a better future for all.
Happy Labour Day!
Kevin Smith, President
Grey Bruce Labour Council