On behalf of the over 16,000 members of CUPE Nova Scotia, our executive board and staff, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all workers across our province a very safe and healthy Labour Day.
The current global economic crisis has emphasized the need, now more than ever before, for a strong labour movement. Deregulation, privatization and free trade have been the mindset of the right wing for decades and are the root causes of the economic difficulties facing us today.
Workers across Nova Scotia and indeed, the entire country, are continuing to fight to protect their jobs and their pensions. Workers are demanding improvements to Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, the Old-Age Security Plan and other vitally important social programs.
The right-wing agenda would see these programs diminished or ended entirely. We can not allow this to happen.
We must continue to push our politicians to stand up for the vulnerable in our society. We must push them to provide and enhance social programs that benefit all Canadians in times of need.
We must stand up to the rhetoric of the right-wing who use the recession to launch increasingly aggressive attacks on both public and private sector workers.
We must partner with our social allies and work together to build an even stronger, united movement to force back the agendas of right-wing governments and multi-national corporations.
As you enjoy Labour Day this year with your families and friends, take a moment to think about the 500,000 Canadians who’ve lost their jobs. Take time to remember those who had their retirement dreams taken away.
Remind yourself of what caused this to happen and ask, “Can Canada afford to go back to business as usual?”
Workers can no longer afford to sit idly by and watch as employers and governments attack public services.
The time for change is now. By working together, we have the power to make that change.
Have a Happy and Safe Labour Day!
