Today is 1st of May, International Workers Day, the day of labour and solidarity. Dating back to the 1880s and born as a result of the worldwide struggle of workers for daily working hours, 1st of May is all the more important today as we come to well realize the importance of solidarity.
In the battle for equality, unions are key. We also extend our solidarity to all the May Day events taking place across the country.
May Day is a time for exchanging solidarity messages with those celebrating across the world and renewing that international friendship between workers.
May Day restates that workers across the globe face the same problems if the severity varies. Workers don’t want war, be it in Yemen or Ukraine, Sudan or Syria, or denial of democratic rights. In all those battles it is ordinary people who suffer the most. Arms manufacturers the least. The history of the labor movement is largely the history of human beings, living at the margins of mainstream society, uniting in solidarity, asserting their rights and fighting for a better, more fair world. It unfortunately remains true that racism, xenophobia and white supremacy redound to the benefit of those with economic and political power. From racist appeals to white supremacy that destroyed radical efforts during Reconstruction towards true multiracial democracy.
We are living a historic moment when we have to better understand the value of labour, and the importance in our lives of each and every worker ranging from health workers to store workers, bakers to delivery staff, farmers to pharmacists, barbers to waiters and waitresses, domestic workers to taxi drivers. This ordeal has also once again shown us the contribution both at home and work, by women fighting in the front lines against the pandemic.
Solidarity is indeed the expectation of everyone, be that a bread distributing worker walking through our street, or a bank teller sweating at desk for his/her labour’s worth, or a worker concerned with contracting the disease at work or being laid off.
We demand paid 10 sick days, 20-dollar minimum wage, pay all hours of work, access to EI, CPP and WSIB compensation, bring back all workers who was forced by the employer on LWOP for practicing their Canadian Charter of Rights.
We the workers are the recovery not the politicians who makes deal to stay in power. We must reject the parties who bribes the voters.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. STAND UP RISE UP UNITE FOR OUR FUTURE.
Let us Vote on June 2nd,2022 and make working class as ruling class.
We must elect a government who listens to the workers as workers are the builders of this country.
In Solidarity
Qaiser Maroof
CUPW Toronto Local
May 1st,2022
“If the race to the bottom [Canada Post is] seeking to impose on its workers, are the directives of the Liberal government, – the Members of Parliament who belong to the Liberal Party must speak out. They must demand that their government orders Canada Post to do the right thing…” Learie Charles -President Scarborough Local CUPW, December 3, 2024 Bulletin titled
“MPs MUST STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT!!”
The Honourable Minister of Public Services, Jean-Yves Duclos, must take decisive action regarding the Board of Directors of Canada Post, or he must be replaced. As a Crown Corporation, the Government of Canada is the sole shareholder, so it is imperative that Canada Post operates responsibly. The Minister has the authority to appoint the members of this board, and it is clear that Doug Ettinger, the CEO and President of Canada Post and his current board have failed in their duties.
Dear Comrades
Canada Post is continuing their bullying tactics. Members have received calls from CPC informing them they were laid off while they were on the picket line. This is a scare tactic. CPC wants us to weaken but we are stronger together. We must continue to keep the picket line strong to show Canada Post that an injury to one is an injury to all and we will NOT BE BULLIED!
In light of the recent challenges our Executive (Chief) Shop Stewards face, we must stand united. The Corporation's attempt to interfere with our elected representatives will not be tolerated.
Sisters, Brothers and Siblings,
As we approach Thanksgiving a time to celebrate the harvest and express gratitude for the year gone by, the Toronto Local wants to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all members for being the unsung heroes of Canada’s Postal System.
