UPDATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2004
LABOUR
DAY 2004 MESSAGE BY CARL PURSEY, PRESIDENT PEI FEDERATION OF LABOUR
September 2, 2004
As we celebrate Labour Day 2004, I
urge all workers and members of unions in particular, to reflect on the
value of free collective bargaining and the importance of rising to its
defence when the need arises.
History shows that worker rights and
advances have not come easily. Yet thanks to the sacrifices of past and
current generations of trade unionists there is much to celebrate.
Because of unions less working people are exploited and for those able
to exercise their fundamental right to join a union and to bargain
collectively there are real advantages.
For more than a century, unions have
made a difference in people’s lives because unions are people – working
citizens – that get together to win something better for the lives that
they invest in their work. Higher wages, safer working conditions,
weekends, pensions and other benefits gained at work helped them tend
to the health and education of their loved ones and their communities.
Education programs, from basic literacy courses in the early 1900s to
anti-racism and anti-harassment workshops today, helped working people
become better citizens and better employees.
Still the labour movement faces a
never-ending struggle to protect and improve our quality of working
life.
Today, people worry about the future.
Many worry they won’t have enough money to retire or to live after they
stop working. Many worry about whether they will keep their jobs. Many
worry about access to training and post-secondary education and the
kind of jobs that will be there for their children and grandchildren.
Many wonder whether our health care system will be there for them when
they need it: because they see the wait times, the growing cost of
drugs, the regular de-listing of services and the eroding down-spiral
of privatization.
In the labour movement, we know that
it doesn’t have to be this way and by demonstrating strength and
solidarity union members are prepared to fight and fight hard to
lessen these worries and improve the quality of life and raise the
standard of living of all working families.
More and more, unionized workers in
this province are seeing the advantage of waging the struggle for
improved social and economic well being collectively through central
labour bodies.
Island workers and their unions know
that, to succeed, profitable companies like Aliant, must share their
success with the skilled workers that make their success possible. The
best workers in the world come from communities with good education and
training opportunities, accessible and affordable health care, and the
kind of economic security that comes from high wages and good pensions.
The most productive workers in the world – not only for their
employers, but for themselves – are unionized, because they know that
from the shop floor to the floor of Parliament, unions make a
difference in people’s life and the legacy of our current struggles
will impact all workers for years to come.
Finally, I would like to remind
all our affiliated members to bring your family and friends to Victoria
Park on Monday between 4pm to 6pm for our 5th Annual Labour Day Corn
Boil and Barbecue. All indications point to this being our biggest
celebration yet. There will be good food, games, prizes, and
entertainment. So bring a lawn chair and join us as we celebrate Labour
Day.
Happy Labour Day
PRESS
RELEASE MAIN
ANY CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS,
OR ERRORS CLICK ON THE MAILBOX.
