The first day of May is recognized around the world as International Workers’ Day, or May Day. It’s a day where workers come together to honour the collective fight that won the eight‑hour workday and the continued struggle for workers to be treated fairly and with respect.
For more than a century, International Workers’ Day has acknowledged and celebrated the many achievements of the trade union movement, including unions’ legal right to exist and organize, minimum employment standards, occupational health and safety legislation, pensions, and social welfare systems.
We’ve had serious setbacks too. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the devastating consequences of cuts, neglect, and privatization of public services. Business giants line their pockets while workers struggle to pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads. while for-profit health care destroys lives, and the most vulnerable members suffer and fall through the cracks of ravaged social support systems.