News
ANNUAL DAY OF MOURNING
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Due to COVID-19, the Saskatoon & District Labour Council will not be hosting their traditional ceremony of remembrance, candle lighting observance and commemorative wreath laying. To honour and recognize the 36 Saskatchewan workers who died in 2019 because of their work, we have shared this virtual remembrance “Day of Mourning Vigil- reading the names of workers in Saskatchewan who died”.
National Day of Mourning 2020 — Saskatchewan from CLC Education on Vimeo.
Though we can’t hold in-person gatherings this year, the enduring message of Day of Mourning – to mourn for the dead and fight for the living – is more important than ever. The global COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we live and work. While everyone is affected by the crisis, workers are on the front line. Many are doing critical work without the protections they need to keep themselves safe.
Many workers have been deemed essential and go to work every day so that others can stay home as we all do everything we can to stop the pandemic. We owe it to all workers to make sure they have the protections and supports to work safely. COVID-19 doesn’t mean we weaken those rights – it means we strengthen them. Workers know that if we wait until the science is certain before implementing protections, many workers will pay the price. That’s why unions fight for the precautionary principle, which maintains that the absence of scientific certainty should not prevent prudent actions that may reduce risk.
As the world has faced this new and unknown contagion called COVID-19, governments and employers should be outfitting workers with all available protections, until the source of transmission is determined – not the other way around
- That means ensuring that front-line workers have the protective equipment they need, and the training to use it safely.
- That means ensuring that all workers, including precarious and vulnerable workers, have access to job protections, adequate paid sick days and income supports to protect them through this crisis.
- That means we need to defend our basic rights at work that are protected in health and safety statutes in every jurisdiction in Canada. Those three basic rights are:
- Right to know
- Right to participate
- Right to refuse work
An injury to one…….is an injury to all
Day of Mourning
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On April 28 we remember those who lost their lives or had their lives changed forever because of something that happened in their workplace. On this day, workers, retirees, leaders, activists and allies across the country come together to remember and recommit to protecting workers and preventing further tragedies, and making every workplace safe and healthy for everyone.
Though we can’t hold in-person gatherings this year, the enduring message of Day of Mourning – to mourn for the dead and fight for the living – is more important than ever. COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the way we live and work. Workers are on the front line doing critical work without the protections they need to keep themselves safe. We owe it to all workers to make sure they have the protections and supports to work safely.
Book Launch and Signing
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Fernwood Publishing and Turning the Tide present:
Cracking Labour's Glass Ceiling: Transforming Women's Lives Through Union Education
A book launch and signing with Barb Byers, Cindy Hanson, and Cheryl Stadnychuk
WHERE: Amigos Cantina - 806 Dufferin Ave, Saskatoon
WHEN: May 23, 7-9pm
About the book:
Although the health of the trade union movement may rest on its ability to include women in membership and leadership, little attention has been paid to women-only labour education.
This original collection contains vibrant example of labour education events and the women involved who develop, implement, research, evaluate and facilitate at them. All the contributors speak from first-hand experience with women-only programs in unions across Canada, the United States and the world. They identify the methods used in pursuit of learner empowerment and transformation, and frankly discuss the outcomes. These real-life examples offer practical guidance and inspiration for all who create and support activist learning within unions and other social-justice organizations.
About the editors/authors:
Cindy Hanson is an associate professor of adult education at the University of Regina.
Barb Byers has fought for the underdog all her life: first as a social worker, then as president of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union and as Saskatchewan Federation of Labour president. She was a CLC officer from 2012 until her retirement in 2017.
Cheryl Stadnichuk is a Research Representative with the Canadian Union of Public Employees. She has a history of working in public sector unions and in international issues. Her areas of experience include qualitative and quantitative research, writing and editing, facilitation and policy analysis on issues such as labour issues, bargaining, privatization and equity issues. Has worked in both public sector unions and non-profit organizations.
Which side are you on?
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A relic from labour history: A picket sign from the 1983 Co-op strike, revived for the 2018/19 Saskatoon Coop Strike. The struggles of working people of the past connect us to the struggles of working people today. When facing the struggles of workers worldwide, you must ask "Which side are you on?"
Co-op's Annual General Meeting on June 20th at TCU Place
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This May Week we would like to share solidarity with approximately 900 Saskatoon Coop employees who after almost 6 months on strike reached a tentative agreement.
However, our work is not done. We are looking forward to seeing everyone out at the Co-op's Annual General Meeting on June 20th at TCU Place.
Celebration of Our Labour History
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In celebration of our labour history we present this photo of members of first Saskatoon Transit union in uniforms. The members of Amalgamated Association of Street and Electrical Railway Employees of America, Division 615 Saskatoon, would later become the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 615 we know today. Originally founded in 1892, the ATU have a long history of fighting for both workers, and improvements to public transit.
May Day
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May 1st is International Workers' Day (or "May day") to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago. On May 1st 1886, there was a general strike for the eight-hour workday. 4 Days later, police acted to disperse the public who assembled in support of the strike, which resulted in in police firing on the workers. Afterwards hundreds of labour leaders and sympathizers were later rounded-up and four were executed by hanging.
