"Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest and eight hours for what you will."
In the late 19th century, this slogan was echoed by workers across Canada and the United States. At a time when most workers put in 100 hours or more a week, hundreds of thousands of union employees took to the streets and the picket line, calling for reduced hours and better, safer working conditions.
On May 1, 1886, these demands reverberated across the country. Four days later, in Chicago’s Haymarket Square, peaceful protests turned violent and tragic. Every year since, May 1 has marked both a global celebration and a day of remembrance.
International Workers’ Day – May Day – commemorates the courage, conviction and sacrifice of trade unionists who were determined to create better conditions for themselves, their children, and generations that followed.
In Canada, workers’ and activists’ protests slowly resulted in progress – and many joined picket lines, even before they were declared legal. For decades, unionists faced retribution, slander attacks and arrest. Although, even in 2024, labour leaders are not immune to such action.
We owe so much to those who faced violence and intimidation to secure the rights we have. But we all know we’re not at the finish line. Even today, laws protecting the right to disconnect are just now coming into force – a necessary measure to protect a basic right won more than a century ago. And the health and safety of CAPE members are still under threat every day they show up for work.
We have a responsibility to protect our members’ basic rights, some we have seen violated time and time again in recent years. Deteriorating working conditions, and unsafe and unsanitary workspaces have become the norm. And a dysfunctional functional pay system puts the financial security of employees at risk every two weeks. We must use our collective energy to re-establish those fundamental rights – but also shape the conditions we need to be healthy and productive.
At CAPE, we are building a strong, grassroots organization, led by the rank-and-file. Our power lies in your ability to mobilize your fellow members and colleagues in other unions to demand better from our employer. We are working hard to ramp up our efforts to ensure that all members are supported, empowered and have the resources they need.
For decades, unions have been the driving force for progress in the workplace. Mobilizing, speaking up and advocating for change – we need to carry on this legacy and win the things we need to win today.
We can do this together. Get involved. Take action.
For members in the National Capital Region, please join us for our May Day picnic on Saturday, May 4 to share stories, strategies and stand in solidarity with our colleagues and workers around the world. Hurry – registration ends today!
For members in Montréal, join fellow CAPE members at the May Day march. They’ll be meeting ahead of time in Parc François-Perrault at 5:30pm. Look for the CAPE flags!
In solidarity,
Nate Prier
