Labour Day: Unions Help Build Strong Communities

Labour Day is a time for workers to come together to celebrate their contributions and achievements and to recognize the vital role they play in building strong communities and a resilient economy.

“Unions are essential in protecting the rights of workers and to advance progressive social and economic policy,” says Chris Watson, President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour. “The need for a powerful, united movement of workers is more urgent than ever. Across the country, unions are fighting for workers’ best interests, holding our governments accountable and advocating for a Canada where homes are truly affordable, public services are robust and accessible, and our economy genuinely protects the workers who make it run.”

Poverty rates are rising, disproportionately impacting some of Canada’s most vulnerable citizens, including seniors, Indigenous and racialized people, and those living with disabilities. These are not abstract statistics; they represent real people, real families, and real struggles in every community across Canada.

“Workers are the backbone of this country, and we deserve better. Politicians elected to represent us need to step up and protect workers’ interests. That means investing in affordable housing, strong public services like EI, health care and pharmacare, and creating good, unionized jobs in clean energy, manufacturing, and public infrastructure,” adds Watson.

When workers stand together in our unions, we don’t just raise standards in our own workplaces – we make Canada strong. That’s the message of Labour Day, and that’s what drives our movement forward: workers together, delivering progress for everyone.

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For Information, contact
Chris Watson
President, New Brunswick Federation of Labour
(506) 381-8969