Not Just Another Holiday
Aug 29, 2007
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of the Gulf Coast of the United States almost exactly two years ago, it was revealed that massive budget cuts of the Bush administration had diverted important funds needed to complete levees that would have mitigated the intensity of the disaster. These monies had apparently been diverted to the Department of Homeland Security to assist with the war in Iraq.
Whatever the reason for the reallocation of funds, the important lesson is that public infrastructure and services are of vital consequence, and although this is a dramatic example, it goes without saying that reducing or redirecting funds from public projects often comes with a price. We as citizens pay taxes so that we are able to enjoy reliable and safe services, from drinking water to energy to health care. Reducing or redirecting these tax revenues has consequences. Contrary to what the business lobby groups believe, one cannot reduce taxes without seeing a parallel and concurrent reduction in the quality of service we receive as citizens.
Labour Day will soon be upon us, and this is an appropriate time to reflect on these and other matters relating to working Canadians. Celebrated since the 1880s, Labour Day in Canada had its origins in the printer’s revolt in Toronto in 1872 when workers fought for a 54-hour work week. Although the issues of that era would differ in some degree from those that workers face today, the challenge to improve the rights of workers continues.
Although parts of the Canadian economy are doing well, in the last five years, Canada has lost some 300,000 well-paying jobs, many of those in the manufacturing sector. These jobs provide families with good salaries and benefits, and allow them to put money back into our economy. But with these job losses come lower levels of taxation revenue to pay for municipal services like roads, transit or social services.
With personal debt loads at an all-time high, savings at an all time low and many Canadians living paycheque to paycheque, it is imperative that all levels of government make job and training strategies a real priority. Working people across the country who want good jobs for themselves and the next generation of Canadians need to call on government to make this the major issue that it deserves to be.
On a more positive note, great strides have been made in protecting the rights of unions this year. In June the Supreme Court protected the right of collective bargaining under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and sent a strong message to governments of all levels that the rights of workers cannot be arbitrarily taken away.
Where unions exist, everyone in the community reaps the rewards. Jobs that pay fair wages and give their workers benefits, a health plan and a pension not only take care of a single individual, but they take care of entire families and support communities. When working people do well, business does well and Canada does well. That is something we can all think about on Labour Day.
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As you celebrate the Labour Day holiday and then return to your working world next week, take at least a moment to remember that the foundation of the current worker rights and liberties and the safe and healthy workplaces we enjoy today have a history all of their own and should not be forgotten or taken for granted. Work during the early industrial revolution and, right into the early 20th century was somewhat of a dreary picture in respect to worker rights and liberties. There's no question that most people would not want to return to this early life. The list below of early working conditions is indicative of the early 20th century: * Wages are not regulated and are below the poverty line. * The cost of living is high and wages are low. * Women's salaries are one-half to two-thirds less than a male counterpart. * Trade unionists are jailed for their efforts to reduce work time to nine hours per day. * Workers are subjected to unsafe working conditions and safety of workers is of no concern to employers/govt. * Dangerous equipment and machinery are unprotected and safety devices are non-existent. * The place where you work is probably the place where you die, as nearly 1million workers are killed/injured yrly. * Workers can be dismissed from their jobs at will-there is no grievance procedure and no one to represent them. * Women are not allowed to enter specific employment fields. * There is no workers' compensation program for injured workers. * There is no such thing as unemployment insurance or help for retraining. * Employees do not have sick leave benefits -- workers lose pay when not at work. * Apprentices are required to live in the shop or home of their employers. * There is no job classification and promotions are at the whim of management. * Women are required to resign their jobs immediately upon marriage and/or becoming pregnant. * There are no maternity leave benefits for women; you are obliged to resign your job and hope for the best. * There is no day care for children of working parents. * There is no paternity leave for fathers wishing to stay home with their children. * Worker pension plans are non-existent or inadequate and unprotected. Sources: Labour Day, CanadaInfo, Craig Marlatt, 2004; History of Labour Day, The Winnipeg General Strike, by Helen Buttery, History Television; The Good Old Days -- Myth versus Reality, Dennis and Judy Randall, May 2001, Barbara Bowes, FCHRP, CMC
Deb N. - 2007-08-30 16:54