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TORONTO, Sept. 5, 2016 /CNW/ - Today Unifor members took to the streets across the country to join workers, unions and the labour movement to celebrate Labour Day.
"This is a day to come together to acknowledge and appreciate the gains that Unifor and the labour movement has made in the past year," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "It is also a day to recommit to the fight for the betterment of all working people to demand fairness and justice."
In keeping with the 2016 Labour Day theme "We Stand For Fairness" marchers at the Toronto parade demanded good jobs and a living wage for all workers. Unifor members were also active in marches, picnic and community events from coast to coast to coast.
"We continue to see an increase in precarious work that is trapping workers permanently in to low paying part-time or contract positions," said Unifor Toronto Area Director Josephine Petcher. "It's time to change the laws in Ontario to lift all workers out of poverty, offer benefits and job security."
The union, founded on Labour Day in 2013, has been a strong advocate for workers' rights, along with being vocal on key political issues including electing progressive governments, supporting an enhanced CPP, seeking a $15 minimum wage for all and opposing anti-worker free trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Labour Day events fall on the eve of Unifor announcing which of the Detroit Three automakers the union will select as the target company to set a pattern in negotiations. Dias stressed the need for employers to make a commitment to build a strong economic future with secure jobs and an investment in Canadian products.
Unifor represents more than 310,000 workers in every sector of the economy. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged. Follow us on Twitter at @Unifortheunion.
SOURCE Unifor
