Labour Day statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress: This Labour Day, workers are fighting for our jobs and our rights

OTTAWA — This Labour Day, Canada’s unions are standing up for workers’ jobs, livelihoods, and rights as Trump’s trade war creates growing uncertainty for working people across the country.

“Canada is right to stand firm against Trump, but we cannot lose sight of what that will mean for working people,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “There will be real costs and disruption. Workers cannot be left to shoulder those costs and risks alone.”

Canada’s unions are calling for stronger Employment Insurance with easier access, increased benefits, and support for workers directly and indirectly affected by the trade war. Protecting workers and communities through the disruption also means maintaining the public services people rely on and ensuring government support for companies protects Canadian jobs and production.

Economic uncertainty cannot be used as an excuse to weaken workers’ rights. As Ottawa reviews the Canada Labour Code, unions are calling on the government to protect the right to strike and reject new powers to interfere in legal strikes.

“The right to strike is fundamental to fair bargaining,” said Bruske. “Government’s job is to be a fair referee, set fair rules, and let workers and employers negotiate. It should not step in and tip the scales when employers don’t like where negotiations are going.”

The choices made now will shape what comes after this trade war.

“We need to protect as many jobs as we can, help workers and communities weather the disruption, protect the public services people depend on, and build an economy that delivers a better future for working people and their communities,” said Bruske.

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