Hi Christopher,
This Labour Day, let’s be clear: so many of the
protections we count on at work didn’t come for free.
Workers organized in unions, fought hard, and won
them.
Here’s what we can thank unions for:
- The weekend and the 8-hour day
Won through strikes starting in 1872 and - reinforced in 1919, giving workers time
- to rest and live their lives.
- Paid vacation time
First bargained into union contracts in - Ontario, then written into law for everyone.
- Public health care
Pioneered in Saskatchewan by the NDP - and defended by Ontario unions so care
- depends on need, not income.
- Health and safety protections
Secured in the 1970s through union
- campaigns that led to Ontario’s Occupational
- Health and Safety Act.
- Workplace pensions and CPP
Achieved by organized labour pushing - governments to guarantee retirement security.
- Paid parental leave
Won at the bargaining table and then - expanded into law so parents don’t
- have to choose between work and family.
- Equal pay for equal work
Driven by women workers and unions - demanding fairness in wages.
- The right to refuse unsafe work
Enshrined in law because unions - wouldn’t accept workers risking their
- lives on the job.
- Better wages and benefits
Raised again and again through - collective bargaining, lifting standards
- for everyone.
- Stronger communities
Union victories have raised the floor
- across Ontario, giving more people
- security and dignity at work.
This Labour Day, every worker in Ontario owes
something to the fights unions have already won.
Happy Labour Day!
Ontario NDP
P.S. Have you heard!? On September 19 – 21,
we gathering in Niagara Falls for the
Niagara Convention!
