Known around the world as International Workers’ Day, activists have traditionally used the first of May as an opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of the labour movement, as well as draw attention to glaring injustices that remain. May Day 2006 saw The Great American Boycott in the US and No One Is Illegal in Toronto, wherein all “illegal” immigrants were encouraged to not participate in the economy.
“We must have solidarity with migrant workers,” insisted Paul Moist, National CUPE President. “They do not enjoy the benefits of citizenship, but instead have their legal status controlled entirely by employers who can disregard labour standards and other responsibilities by using the threat of deportation.”
On the Roses half of the Bread and Roses equation, be sure to check out the May Day festival nearest you to celebrate Labour-related arts and culture: MayWorks Festival in Winnipeg, MayWorks Ottawa, May Week in Edmonton, May Day Vancouver, MayWorks Toronto and MayWorks Vancouver Island. For inspiration, watch this video of last year’s May Day celebrations in Edmonton. We’re proud to see those CUPE flags.