On May 1, we join fellow workers and trade unionists around the world in celebration of International Workers’ Day – a May Day rooted in the historic struggles of our movement for dignity, justice, and power.
The day marks the many ways in which workers have translated their collective power into tangible achievements that benefit all workers, families and communities. From pensions to health and safety laws to paid vacation, every one of our victories brings dignity and hope to our lives as workers. International Workers’ Day is the day to recall these achievements and fuel our determination to build a better world for all.
May Day also holds a special significance as the global day of recognition for workers. Although Canada and the US celebrate Labour Day in September, May 1 has always been a more politically charged holiday, grounded in class awareness and historic worker struggles.
The origins of International Workers’ Day are found in the late 19th century labour movements that fought for the basic rights we now take for granted. The day became a powerful symbol of working-class solidarity across international borders. At CUPE Ontario, we honour that tradition in our response to solidarity requests from around the world, including those from Palestinian trade unions, who have asked for our support for their struggle against Israeli genocide and occupation.
Here in Ontario, under Doug Ford’s anti-worker government, International Workers’ Day takes on a new and urgent significance. The Ford Conservatives are systematically starving public services to achieve their end goal of privatizing them, in whole or in part. Their reprehensible, underhand project is underpinned by the systematic undermining of workers’ rights, weakening of workplace safety protections, attacks on collective bargaining rights, and the destruction of democratic structures and institutions.
Make no mistake: our union, our members and the public services we deliver are in the government’s crosshairs. Yet our own history shows us that we have the collective power to win against these forces of the right. In this year alone, CUPE Ontario has joined with other unions on campaigns like Worth Fighting For; teamed up with community partners and allies to Keep Water Public; and worked with CUPE locals in regions like Niagara in the fightback against anti-democratic efforts to thwart regional control and decision making.
But perhaps the biggest pushback against the right this year will come from CUPE/OSBCU education workers. Three years ago, these brave and principled workers defied Doug Ford’s attempt to deny them their collective bargaining rights. In the face of an unjust law, they took strike action and won the backing of the entire Canadian labour movement in the process.
As education workers organize around central bargaining this year, we all draw strength from their previous inspiring response to government threats and overreach, and we stand ready with them against whatever attacks the Conservatives have in store for public education.
International Workers’ Day reminds us that the labour movement’s greatest strength lies in our solidarity. As public sector workers, we understand that when we fight together, we win together. And just as we do on any picket line or at any rally, we can transform our celebrations on May 1 into acts of resistance and solidarity that affirm our humanity and our right to dignity. Festivals like Mayworks are avenues for nourishing our collective revolutionary sprit; we encourage all CUPE Ontario members to find ways to take part in these events.
The May Day spirit speaks to the true strength of our movement. The day is a fitting time to remember that, when we are united, we can challenge even the most powerful forces. This May 1, let us celebrate our victories, honour past struggles, and renew our commitment to building a better future. Our joy is revolutionary and our collective celebration is a powerful statement about the better world we seek.
