Day 5 - 246 -- A Day for Workers

Today is labour day. Many celebrations occur, most focusing on this being the end of summer or the beginning of the school year. It seems rare to find businesses closed today, so for many it can be another shopping day. The origins of Labour Day may be rather fuzzy for most people, even those who belong to a labour union. In the late 1870s, a major labour march in Toronto set the stage for a statutory holiday that began a few years later. The struggle for workers rights might be viewed as ancient history by some people, who assume that jobs come with benefits and a 40 hour or less work week. This was not always the case. Many major strikes occurred through the past 140+ years. The Winnipeg General Strike led to violence from armed police officers as well as workers. The miners strike in Bienfait, SK led to the deaths of miners from an armed police force. The doctors strike of 1962 in Saskatchewan showed how well misinformation could be used to frighten people who could sway political regulators. The latter strike did not change the government plan to ensure that all citizens had equal access to hospital care. Other regulations limit child labour, provide parental benefits to workers, limit the number of hours before overtime must be paid, and instituted regulated pension plans. Health and safety of the workplace have changed dramatically over the decades. These and many more issues were -- and still are -- at the centre of bargaining between unions and management.

I've worked in non-unionized workplaces, places where unions became present, and many places with major unions of which I've been a member. I have worked in out-of-scope positions that were considered to be more management focused. I recall strikes happening for my work unit and those of my parents. It can be stressful and inconvenient, but generally things worked out reasonably well once bargaining agreement or mediation resulted. Without the work and battles of so many people over many decades, most current workplaces would be less hospitable. Today is a day for remembering those who have gone before to make our world just that much better.

A vignette about coal mining came to mind while pondering today. The singers are former coal miners from Nova Scotia. Cape Breton had many collieries in operation for a very long time. That is not the case any more as the market for cleaner fuel has led to fewer coal-fired plants. The lyrics speak specifically to Cape Breton with amazing visuals of miners and mines. It should be noted that the final visual of a mine by the sea would have had miners deep underground and a long distance from the shore -- in effect mining under the ocean. I'm far too claustrophobic to venture out, so admire those who did. The song is an upbeat mining song. Enjoy!

Coal By the Sea -- Men of the Deeps -- Canada Vignettes by NFB (National Film Board of Canada)