Labour Day 2023: Unions lift everyone up
As communities across the country mark Labour Day by celebrating workers and their contributions, unions are highlighting the important role unions play in making life better for everyone.
Unions have a long track record of winning for all workers. Thanks to unions, workers benefit from things like occupational health and safety laws, new investments in healthcare, commitments for ten-dollar-a-day childcare programs in all provinces and pension protections for workers whose employer goes bankrupt.
“These are just a few concrete examples of things we’ve won for workers, whether they’re unionized or not, Unions are an undeniable force for positive change, and the benefits of union representation cannot be overstated. We believe all workers, in all sectors, deserve good union jobs with decent pay and benefits. We won’t stop until we get there,” says Daniel Legere, President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour.
Today, about one third of Canada’s workforce is represented by a union, and the gains they made have improved the lives of every worker in this country. Unions are focused on improving the lives of everyone, with ambitious priorities to address the major issues facing workers and their families.
A key priority is making life more affordable for everyone. It’s unacceptable that wealthy corporations and the rich elite continue to line their pockets with record-high profits on the backs of workers. Governments must urgently address the real causes of the ongoing affordability crisis by holding the wealthiest and most profitable corporations accountable and forcing them to pay their fair share.
It’s no secret that our care systems are crumbling. Care workers are exhausted from years of sounding the alarm, and the pandemic pushed our struggling care systems to the brink of collapse. Care work is essential, and unions will continue fighting for immediate solutions to support publicly funded, publicly delivered care.
“These priorities show why it’s so important for workers to join a union. We will continue to fight to make it easier to organize into a union, to ensure that every worker has the rights and respect that come with a union card. When unions – and workers – come together, we can lift everyone up,” concludes Legere.
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For information, please contact:
Daniel Legere
NBFL President
(506) 857-2125 or (506) 381-8969
Labour Day events in New Brunswick are as follows:
Bathurst & District Labour Council
Coronation Park Munroe Street Bathurst, NB
September 4, 2023, Parade starts at 1:00 p.m., BBQ and speeches will follow.
Contact: John Gagnon gagnonnjohn@yahoo.com, 506-545-0651
Edmundston District Labour Council
239 Principale Street Saint Basile, NB
September 4, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Contact: Lorn Martin lornm5@gmail.com, 506-737-7063
Moncton & District Labour Council
Centennial Park Moncton, NB
September 3, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Melissa Brown melandjade@hotmail.com, 506-872-4643
Saint John & District Labour Council
Parade starts at Old Court House on King St. East
Event at Fire Fighter’s Hall & Fisher Lakes, Saint John, NB
September 4, 2023, 11:30 a.m.
Contact: Shawn Wetmore shawnwet@hotmail.com, 506-693-9347
Organized by CUPE, Sponsored by Restigouche District Labour Council
Softball Tournament, Car Show, Parade and BBQ
Inch Arran Park, Dalhousie, NB
September 1 to 4, 2023
Friday, September 1 – music in the park
Saturday, September 2 – youth ball hockey tournament, music in the park
Sunday, September 3 – lob ball tournament, free swim at Recreaplex
Monday, September 4 – Labour Day Parade, car show, free hot dogs, corn, popcorn, cotton candy, chips, pop, juice boxes, prize bags, face painting, bouncy castle, little train rides, rides on an antique fire truck, free swim at Recreaplex and magic show. For adults, there will be entertainment at the NBIP from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Brian Arseneault arsefourteen@gmail.com, 506-686-4050
