Most people see the first Monday in September as just another day off before students go back to school, Labour Day however is really a day of celebration and remembrance.
April 14. 1872, a parade of over 10,000 striking Toronto Topographical Union members and their supporters, a tenth (1/10) of the Toronto population at the time, is seen as a key event that led to the creation of Labour Day.
After the arrest of the leaders of the Typographical Union, Seven (7) unions in Ottawa took to the streets in protest on September 3, 1872. As ar result of these protests Sir John A. MacDonald passed the Trade Union Act of 1872, which decriminalized trade unions and ignited the movement towards a better life for the working Canadian.
In Canada, a September Labour Day holiday became official by decreee of Prime Minister, Sir John Thompson on July 23, 1894.
As we celebrate the battles won, that have improved the Canadian workers way of life, we cannot forget our past as we still face a struggle to protect the Canadian workers rights.
Labour Day truly is a union holiday.
Our office will be closed in observance of this holiday on Monday September 2, 2024.
For those of you fortunate enough to have this weekend off, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable time with family and friends. For those whom are working this weekend , please be safe and Thank You, from your brothers and sisters at Transport and Allied Workers, Teamsters Local 855.