A Labour Day Message from President Kim Novak

This year’s Labour Day is more meaningful than ever

The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the essential role of all workers and revealed dangerous inequalities in our society. While the value of every worker has never come as a surprise to our union, that message has resonated across headlines this year and entered the conversation in a new and powerful way. And it should, but not just because we are in a crisis. Retail workers, pharmacy technicians and assistants, food processing workers and home care and social services professionals have never been replaceable or disposable. They have always represented the thin line between normalcy and chaos, between health and sickness, between eating and going hungry. They go to work when many Canadians are staying home, they support their communities in a time of crisis, they deserve respect, recognition, and fairness.

At UFCW 1518, Labour Day is a celebration at the same time that it is a somber occasion, especially this year. We celebrate the achievements that workers have made over many decades and mourn those who died this year because they went to work. It is an occasion to remind ourselves of what is at stake and to renew our fight for fairness because it is more important than ever before.

I hope you find some time to reflect and safely celebrate this Labour Day. I look forward to a future time when we can again gather to celebrate this important occasion together.

 

In solidarity,

 

Kim Novak

President, UFCW 1518