This coming Labour Day long weekend is typically celebrated with end-of-summer barbecues or pool parties. But let us not forgot the origins of why this time was officially recognized.
Labour Day was created to campaign for rights and to celebrate the achievements of workers by giving them the day off work to reconnect. Its origins in Canada can be traced back to the Toronto Typographical Union strike for a 58-hour work-week in 1872. Prime Minister Sir John Thompson in 1894 declared the first Monday in September as Labour Day, a national holiday as protests and parades and festivities in solidarity spread across the country.
Workers are and always have been the backbone of our province. Workers are often unsung heroes, building the roofs over our heads, putting food on our tables, and caring for the most vulnerable in our communities.
The ongoing labour issues facing Hydro Ottawa workers has had an affect across the city. The collective bargaining process is extremely important, and I hope that this strike is settled soon for the benefit of all. The use of temporary workers will only prolong the strike and create more tension. I hope to see a fair settlement for the workers who have provided support to City staff and our residents and helped us get through several major storm outages.