May 1, 2015 at 9:10 AM
Today is International Workers’ Day – aka May Day - an annual celebration of the international labour movement.
Since its inauguration in 1890, May Day has been a focal point for workers' struggles, including union protection, the eight-hour work day, migrant rights and workers' self-emancipation.
Around the world workers will be celebrating May Day through a variety of different means including: public holidays, mass parades, protests, parties and direct actions to fight for a better tomorrow for the entire working class.
In Canada there will be many May Day parades and actions in our communities happening throughout the day.
As members of Unifor Local 2002, this May Day is particularly poignant as it marks the contracting out of 130 customer service jobs at Air Canada, the loss of 280 jobs at Swissport and the first anniversary of the mass termination and closure of our Impark members at Pearson.
Just as the fight for the eight hour day was the rallying cry of the first May Day in Chicago, the fight against contractualisation and the race to the bottom must be our rallying cry for this century.
If there are May Day events planned in your community please make every effort to participate in the fight for a better future for all.
The workers united will never be defeated!!
Happy May Day!