Today is a day to mark the hard work and sacrifices of more than a century of labour activists to obtain justice for all workers.
International Worker’s Day is the true “Labour Day” according to New Brunswick Federation of Labour President Patrick Colford.
He says millions of Canadians, both unionized and non unionized reap the benefits of that work, including the 8 hour work day, better wages, and health and safety standards.
“In the past little while, workers and unions have lost a lot of ground due to decisions that were made in Ottawa and New Brunswick,” says Colford. “It seems some days that governments and employers have forgotten that working people keep our economy moving.”
Colford says workers and unions have made this country a more equal place all Canadian workers, unionized or not, benefit from the labour movement.
“Some of those benefits are an 8 hour work day, health and safety benefits, overtime pay, even in some senses people who work 5 days a week and have the weekend off,” says Colford.
He adds other benefits we should thank the labour movement for are parental leave, EI, and even healthcare.
Colford warns declining union membership is leading to the slow erosion of these hard fought gains.
“Workers have almost become a slave if you will to big business and to the bottom dollar,” says Colford. “We’ve got an increasing income gap in Canada, and in New Brunswick, and in my opinion it’s almost at crisis levels.”
He adds they will continue to fight to improve the working conditions, and health and safety of all workers in the province.
