Labour Day 2023

LABOUR DAY 2023

IT’S ALL ABOUT PEOPLE

History of Labour Day in Canada

Labour Day (French: Fête du Travail) is a statutory public holiday in Canada that occurs on the first Monday in September. It is one of several Labour Day celebrations that occur in countries around the world. The Canadian celebration of Labour Day occurs on the same day each year as Labour Day in the United States.

HISTORY

Labour Day has been marked as a statutory public holiday in Canada on the first Monday in September since 1894. However,

the origins of Labour Day in Canada can be traced back to numerous local demonstrations and celebrations in earlier decades.

Such events assumed political significance in 1872, when an April labour demonstration in Toronto, in support of striking printers, led directly to the enactment of the Trade Unions Act, a law that confirmed the legality of unions.

Ten years later, on July 22, 1882, a huge labour celebration in Toronto attracted the attention of the American labour leader Peter J. McGuire, who organized a similar parade in New York City

on September 5 that year. Unions associated with the Knights of Labour and the American Federation of Labour in both Canada and the United States subsequently promoted parades and festivals on the first Monday in September. In Canada during these years, local celebrations took place in Hamilton, Oshawa, St. Catharines, Ottawa, and London in Ontario, as well as Montreal, Quebec; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Vancouver, BC. Montreal declared a civic holiday in 1889. In Nova Scotia, coal miners had been holding picnics and parades since

Standing

Together For A Living Wage For All Workers

1880 to celebrate the anniversary of their union, the Provincial Workmen’s Association, first organized in 1879.

In 1889, the Royal Commission on the Relations of Labour and Capital in Canada recommended recognition of an official “labour day” by the federal government. In March and April 1894, unions lobbied Parliament to recognize Labour Day as a public holiday. Legislation was introduced in May by Prime Minister John Sparrow David Thompson and received royal assent in July 1894.

TRADITIONS

An old-fashioned tradition in Canada and the United States frowns upon the wearing of white after Labour Day. Explanations for this tradition vary; the most common is that white is a summer colour and Labour Day unofficially marks the end of summer. The rule may have been intended as a status symbol for new members of the upper and middle classes in the late 19th and early 20th century.

A Labour Day tradition in Atlantic Canada is the Wharf Rat Rally in Digby, Nova Scotia, while the rest of Canada watches the Labour Day Classic, a Canadian Football League event where rivals like Calgary Stampeders & Edmonton Elks, Hamilton TigerCats & Toronto Argonauts (except in the 2011 and 2013 seasons, due to scheduling conflicts), and Saskatchewan Roughriders & Winnipeg Blue Bombers play on Labour Day weekend. Before the ending of the Ottawa Renegades after the 2005 season, that team played the nearby Montreal Alouettes on Labour Day weekend. Since the 2014 CFL season, when the Ottawa Redblacks began play, the Montreal–Ottawa Labour Day tradition has once again been observed. Likewise, Ontario University Athletics has a longestablished tradition to play university football on Labour Day. There is an annual Labour Day parade in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland. The centennial anniversary in 2020 was replaced with an online ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

In Ontario, Labour Day is a public holiday where workers can take the day off or receive public holiday pay.

BY UNKNOWN AUTHOR - WIKIPEDIA

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

Building power for professional workers

Millions of people in Canada are struggling this Labour Day. People are fed up with not being able to pay the bills, as housing costs, grocery, and gas prices skyrocket, while wages stagnate.

But working people across the country are standing up, fighting back, and joining together to demand something better.

This energy and determination has been unmistakable at the Professional Employees Association. The PEA is a union for professionals. We represent workers in the education, legal, union, and health care sectors across BC as well as licensed professionals in the BC Public Service.

In the past year, professional workers in education and environmental testing have unionized with the PEA, leading to a moment of incredible growth as we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2024.

In the face of inflation, low wages, and job insecurity, these workers have chosen to organize for something better: a living wage, respect, and a real voice in the workplace.

This Labour Day we’re celebrating the power of professionals and the growing energy of the union movement.

If you’re ready to take action with your coworkers and win positive changes in the workplace, organize a union. To learn more about how, visit pea.org/join.

The statutory public holiday has been celebrated on the first Monday in September since 1894

United with the Front Lines

WHAT WE DO:

We organize local unions in our jurisdiction to carry out the national policies of the CLC; to participate in national action campaigns; to assist unions on strike; to organize political action; to develop international solidarity and to work for social justice in the community.

WHO WE ARE

The Victoria Labour Council (VLC) is the local organization of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) at the city level. The

CLC represents 3.2 million unionized workers across Canada. The VLC was founded over 100 years ago and is one of the oldest labour organizations in BC. We organize local unions in our jurisdiction to carry out the national policies of the CLC; to participate in national action campaigns; to assist unions on strike; to organize political action; to develop international solidarity and to work for social justice in the community. victorialabour.ca

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Having a voice in how their jobs get done

We at U.A. Local 324 reflect on our achievements since inception in 1902. We are proud of the remarkable work of our members past and present who have dedicated themselves to the movement as staunch advocates for the interests of workers. Our Members demonstrate a high degree of quality craftsmanship necessary to construct residential townhomes, condominium’s, schools, office buildings, water/ sewer treatment facilities, Pulpmills and Shipyards within our jurisdiction on Vancouver Island. The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada, or “UA” as it is commonly known, was a pioneer

that recognized no political or geographic boundaries between Canada and the United States of America. UA 324 has consistently ranked within the top 10 locals in growth across North America. With expanded training programs and education provided to our members we are ready to move forward into the future, maintaining the high standards required in today’s highly technical and changing workplace. By means of a strong strategic plan U.A. Local 324 will endeavour to keep acquiring a larger share of the construction market and continue growing our membership within our jurisdiction. We have established a legacy that future generations of UA Local 324 can be proud of and build upon. ualocal324.com

Vancouver

Metal Trades Council

Building and repairing vessels on the West Coast of Canada since 1954

The Vancouver Island Metal Trades Council is the voice of the 2,500 union marine shipyard workers throughout the cities, towns, and villages on Vancouver Island.

OUR PURPOSE IS TO:

• Promote the industry for the advancement of all affiliates and their members.

• Develop and advance apprenticeship training through cooperation with federal and provincial agencies, trades colleges and union joint training apprenticeship committees.

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• Promote and develop safe work practices in the shipbuilding and repair industry.

• Develop and foster partnerships with our communities, employers, and customers.

• Participate in legislative activities that promote Metal Trades Unions and their members.

• Promote and develop strong, fair and meaningful labour/ management cooperatives.

• Assist and cooperate with other recognized Trade and Labour Councils.

For more info: vimetaltrades.com

to the achievements and contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well being of our country.

PRESIDENT Rob Taylor TREASURER/RECORDI NG SECRE TARY Jim Noon

Island

Hon. Mitzi Dean MLA, ESQUIMALT - METCHOSIN Mitzi.Dean.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Parmar MLA, LANGFORD-JUAN DE FUCA Ravi.Parmar.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Hon. Rob Fleming MLA, VICTORIA - SWAN LAKE Rob.Fleming.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Hon. Grace Lore MLA, VICTORIA -BEACON HILL Grace.Lore.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Hon. Lana Popham MLA, SAANICH SOUTH Lana.Popham.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Hon. Murray Rankin MLA, OAK BAY - GORDON HEAD Murray.Rankin.MLA@leg.bc.ca 250-472-8528

FROM Y OUR SOUTH ISLAND MLA S

Creating a culture of health and safety at every workplace

No matter what type of work you do, every worksite has potential hazards. An occupational health and safety (OHS) program focuses on the specific workplace hazards and the steps to control them. An OHS program helps to establish the workplace health and safety culture and should be constantly adapted, evaluated, and improved. But what works for one workplace may not meet the needs of another. That’s why it is important to manage risks in each specific workplace. Managing risks in the workplace involves thinking about what might cause harm to workers and determining whether reasonable steps are being taken to prevent that harm from happening.

FOUR STEPS TO MANAGING

RISK:

1: Understand the level of risk in the workplace

Identify hazards. A hazard is anything that can cause harm, such as chemicals, electricity, or equipment. Assess the risk these hazards pose to workers so the appropriate attention and level of control can be applied to each one.

2: Implement control measures The greatest risk should be

addressed first. If a risk cannot be eliminated, a control measure needs to be implemented to minimize it.

3: Communicate

Employers need to provide workers and supervisors with information about what measures are being used to control the risks.

4: Monitor and update

Managing workplace risks is an ongoing process. Control measures need to be monitored for effectiveness, and those that are not working as intended need to be improved.

PREVENTING INCIDENTS IS A

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

While safety rests with the employer, contributing to a healthy and safe work environment is a shared responsibility. Working together, employers and workers can complete risk assessments and address health and safety concerns to help prevent workplace incidents.

Improving health and safety doesn’t have to be costly, but the potential return on investment is huge.

To learn more about managing the risks in your workplace, visit worksafebc.com/create-manage

Long-term care needs a long-term fix

By Meena Brisard

Just three years ago, the seniors’ care crisis was front and centre as front-line workers scrambled to deal with the devastating consequences of COVID-19.

In the pandemic’s aftermath, care home workers are burnt out as a widespread staffing shortage undermines our ability to care for our aging population.

A worker from a for-profit, long-term care home in Victoria recently shared with me that she often works short because her coworkers quit to work at other care homes with better compensation packages and safer caring conditions.

Her story is a familiar one. Almost all B.C. care homes are publicly-funded, but about a third are operated by private for-profit operators, a third by non-profits and a third by our public health authorities. They provide a patchwork of caring conditions, with huge gaps in benefits and other contractrelated working conditions between care homes.

It wasn’t always this way.

Twenty years ago, a province-wide collective agreement covering most publicly-funded care homes

standardized working and caring conditions.

The former BC Liberal government passed laws and regulations that saw many care home operators opt out of this standard contract – leaving us with today’s fragmented seniors’ care system.

B.C.’s care home residents and those who care for them deserve better.

The NDP provincial government has taken action to improve the situation. Still, more needs to be done to protect the continuity of care for the frail elderly.

These words from a Vancouver care aide summarize what workers want: “I wish for respect, a fair wage and a reasonable workload for all care aides.”

This is a crisis we can fix.

We can restore stable, safe working and caring conditions in our publicly-funded care homes by restoring common working and caring conditions.

Our current NDP government has committed to doing just that.

Now, they need to act.

Meena Brisard is the secretarybusiness manager of the Hospital Employees’ Union, B.C.’s largest health care union.

Long-term care needs a long-term fix.

On Labour Day, show your support for seniors and the workers who care for them.

Vancouver Island Building Trades Council

The Vancouver Island Building Trades Council is the voice of the 5,500 union workers throughout the cities, towns, and villages on Vancouver Island.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The Vancouver Island Building and Construction Trades Council members not only work around our Island Communities, we live within them. Our interests are the same as other working families, having access to good education and health care, along with parks and community centres.

APPRENTICESHIP & TRAINING

Building Trades Unions Craft Apprenticeship and Training can be retraced well over 100 years, and the Vancouver Island Construction Trades Unions of Today have carried on this very important role. We know an educated member is more than just a productive worker, they are an important part of the community.

The Vancouver Island - Building and Construction Trades Council represents about ten percent of all registered apprentices of the 136 apprenticeable trades on Vancouver Island, who attend the 3 recognized Trades Colleges.

South Island - Camosun College in Victoria

Mid-Island - Vancouver Island University/College in Nanaimo

North Island - North Island College in Campbell River

For more info: vibuildingtrades.com

TIPS for Labour Day getaways and more

Hold on to summer just a little longer

Labour Day marks the unofficial end of summer.

Even though summer officially ends a few weeks after Labour Day, a new school year begins for most students by Labour Day, and the lazy, hazy days spent on the beach give way to a new school year.

It’s no wonder that so many people want to capture the last of the summer magic before it’s gone for another year; Labour Day getaways help people hold on to summer just a little longer. Explore these tips to make Labour Day trips a bit more safe and convenient.

LEAVE EXTRA TIME

Roadways are bound to be busy with other Labour Day weekend travelers, particularly for those headed to seaside locales or campgrounds. One way to avoid some of the traffic is to depart from home in the wee hours of the morning or late at night. Leave plenty of time to get to your destination so you won’t be tempted to speed or drive erratically. Utilize GPS and mobile phone mapping apps to identify routes that can help you avoid traffic.

BE CAUTIOUS OF THE WEATHER

Extreme temperatures can be a concern even this late in the season. The American Red Cross urges travelers to remain hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids while en route to destinations or while engaging in Labour Day fun. Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day. Strong storms can blow through in an instant, so keep track of weather alerts and find shelter if a thunderstorm approaches while on the beach or in other areas where lightning strikes occur more readily.

PLAN AHEAD

Labour Day vacationers number in the millions. Hotels and motels will be in demand, driving up rates, and airfare prices could soar. Book early to secure the best prices available and to guarantee you have accommodations.

CONSIDER A BUNDLED VACATION

Package deals at destinations can save you a considerable amount of money. Fly.com allows users to search the site for destination-appropriate packages that can combine airfare with hotel and car rentals to save money.

LOOK FOR LIFEGUARDS

If the plan is to swim in a lake, river or the ocean, select areas that have lifeguards available. Always swim sober and with a buddy. Even strong swimmers can be caught off guard by the power of water, which can include rip currents or rushing rapids.

WATCH ALCOHOL INTAKE

Never drink alcohol while operating a vehicle en route to and from Labour Day festivities. Have a designated driver available if need be. Also, vacationers must recognize that alcohol can contribute to dehydration. Choose non-alcoholic and decaffeinated beverages to stay hydrated in warm weather.

CONSIDER SMALLER AIRPORTS

It may seem more convenient to utilize larger airport hubs for travel, but driving a little further to smaller, regional airports can help you save money on fares. Plus, these airports may be less crowded, helping to calm stress and make the overall trip a little easier.

This Labour Day, we recognize our nurses and all unionized workers for the contributions they make to improve working conditions for ever yone

Adriane Gear President BC Nurses Union

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