National, provincial and territorial labour leaders voice strong opposition to back-to-work legislation in ILWU job action against the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCME)
July 11, 2023
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, labour leaders from across the country reiterated their strong opposition to any attempt by the federal government to introduce back-to-work legislation against International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) workers currently on strike. “Back-to-work legislation would be a misstep that would only aggravate the situation. If the right to strike is weakened by…
Canada’s unions mark May Day by celebrating worker power and the contributions that workers and their unions make to society. “Today is a day to celebrate our wins and fortify ourselves for the next fight. Workers can achieve incredible things when they come together. Being a union member means having a safe workplace, better pay, more benefits, and good work-life…
Earth Day 2023: Canada’s unions call on governments to put workers and communities first
April 21, 2023
This year’s Earth Day theme, Invest in Our Planet, is a timely reminder of the need for our elected leaders to take ambitious and necessary action to tackle the climate emergency. Canada’s unions are calling on the government to move towards a net-zero carbon economy with workers and communities at its core. As communities across the country and around the…
Workers push back, demand decent work from decision-makers
October 7, 2022
As the global community marks World Day for Decent Work, workers around the world are standing up to employers and governments and demanding better: better working conditions, better wages and better access to benefits. The economic impacts of the pandemic highlighted not only existing inequality, but showed how a lack of workplace benefits – like paid sick leave – can…
A path to the middle class for millions of workers
September 6, 2022
By Bea Bruske, as published in The Province If you appreciate having weekends, a forty-hour work week, pensions, compensation for workplace injuries, maternity leave or even collective bargaining at all, thank a union organizer. The reality is, without the contributions of the labour movement, Canadian workers wouldn’t have these or so many other protections. But these gains were not accomplished…
Unions pave path to the middle class for millions of Canadians
September 5, 2022
Bruske: Growing momentum for workers to demand better OTTAWA–Canada’s unions are marking Labour Day by celebrating the hard-fought gains of the labour movement and bringing workers, their families and allies together in solidarity, united in their commitment to the important work ahead. “The collective power of workers and our long fight for fairness has delivered the forty-hour work week, pensions,…
Labour Day: Worker power is key to a stronger middle class
August 31, 2022
(TORONTO) Canada’s unions are encouraging workers to reclaim their power and stand up to employers and governments, as the country struggles to recover from the economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The pandemic and its devastating effects aren’t behind us yet, but workers in Canada have an opportunity to help shape the future we want,” said Bea Bruske, President…
Canada’s unions celebrate B.C. card check law to empower workers
June 2, 2022
Bruske: It’s about fairness. Premier Horgan’s government enacts critical law to support working people VICTORIA, B.C. – Canada’s unions celebrate an important milestone today as a new law in British Columbia, to return automatic certification to the province, received royal assent. Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, was in the B.C. legislature to witness the legislation becoming law.…
Turn minimum wages into living wages and index to inflation
May 6, 2022
Bruske: StatCan numbers show markets aren’t delivering fair wages – governments must take action OTTAWA – With the cost of living still rising while wages lag far behind, today’s Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey shows that low unemployment numbers don’t mean workers are seeing positive changes to their paycheques. According to Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, there…
Celebrate May Day the best way possible: organize!
May 1, 2022
Canada’s unions are marking May Day by standing in solidarity with workers around the world, and reminding all workers of the importance of building solidarity through worker engagement and organizing. When we organize collectively, we can ensure life is fairer for everyone. Today we also celebrate workers, the people who built this country and power our communities. From the shop…