Members urged to support organized labour this Monday by taking a walk
CEP 87M President Brad Honywill urged members to bolster their own bargaining power this coming Monday, Sept. 6 by walking in a Labour Day parade or enjoying a Labour Day picnic.
"Labour Day is the day when we both celebrate and promote the contributions organized labour has made in bettering the lives of the people in our communities," Honywill said. "Afterall, without organized labour, we'd still be working 10-hour shifts, six days a week, with no overtime, there'd be no government-funded medicare system, maternity leave, workplace health and safety law and a whole host of other improvements."
Honywill said there are many more improvements that can be achieved by the labour movement with the support of its members and the general public, such as improved pensions and pharmacare.
"It’s a healthy one or two-hour walk on a sunny day and you get to tell the Ontario government, with your presence, that it should pay attention to the voice of organized labour," said the president of Ontario's largest media union.
CEP 87M (SONG) members, who are spread across southern Ontario, can join one of the following four events. Information on events in smaller communities can often be found on the internet by searching for the nearest labour council web page.
TORONTO: We are gathering at about 9:30 on University Ave, lining up north of Queen St. The CEP 87M delegation can usually be found in the 600 block of University Ave. You’ll see the CEP flags. The parade starts moving at 10 am but it may be closer to 10:15 before there’s any movement in our area. CEP traditionally hands out shirts or some other swag for participants. See Toronto and York District Labour Council website for more info.
HAMILTON: Gathering starts at 10 am and starts moving at 10:30. The CEP delegation can be found in Section 3, on York St west of Locke St., facing east. See Hamilton labour council website for more info.
LONDON: Labour Day picnic, 11am. - 3pm. , Thames Park (off Ridout just south of Horton St.) Everyone invited. See London labour council website for more info.
OTTAWA: Parade starts at noon at Ottawa City Hall, and ends at McNabb Park (Gladstone @ Bronson) where there's a family picnic from 1:00pm-4:30pm, including music, balloons, pony rides, games, face painting, clowns and more. For more info call 613-233-7820.
