August 30 2024
Labour Day’s roots lie in the historic struggle of the Nine-Hour Movement, particularly the 1872 strike by Toronto printers. These brave workers demanded a 9-hour work day and a 54-hour work week, facing fierce opposition from employers who dismissing their demands as “unreasonable,” “foolish,” and “absurd.” Despite this resistance, workers took to the streets standing firm in their fight for decent work hours. These courageous actions inspired the Labour Day parades and marches that we see today in communities across the country and beyond.
We owe a debt of gratitude to those printers, to the Nine-Hour Movement, and to all those whose struggles have shaped the rights and protections we now enjoy. These victories were hard-won, often against immense odds. Yet, 152 years later, workers in so many fields — from community services to education to administration to health care — in Canada, are still fighting for decent hours of work, fair wages, and equitable working conditions.
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and our Components recognize that when we fight for our members, we are fighting for all workers. Today, workers continue to advocate for
- adequate staffing levels and wages to care for the sick and elderly in hospitals and retirement homes, but also so workers can care for themselves and their families
- full-time hours, higher wages, and job security, like the liquor workers in BC, Manitoba, and Ontario who went on strike so they could pay rent and other bills, and
- stronger workplace health and safety measures that protect themselves and the community, like the railway workers striking to maintain reasonable hours of work and rest periods.
We remain committed to working in solidarity with the vulnerable amongst us and to uplifting all communities, because when we all do better, society is stronger. We continue to be guided by our belief in inclusivity, diversity, and social justice.
We have big battles ahead of us, both provincially and federally, as core values of our union — of the broader labour movement — face significant threats. Values such as respect, fairness, and equity are under attack.
But we have a powerful way to respond: get involved, organize and vote. When we organize, and when we cast our ballots, we are determining the kind of society we want to live in. Through our political action we can show that a better, more just world is possible — one that respects human rights, values our labour, and builds stronger, more vibrant communities.
So, this Labour Day, let’s honour those who came before and the sacrifices they made. Let’s celebrate our successes and our solidarity. Let’s remember our power when we work together and support each other. And let’s use our collective voice to shape a future that is compassionate, fair and includes everyone.