At the crux of Labour Day: ensuring worker safety
Many forget that Labour Day is much more than an opportunity for backyard barbecues, community picnics and for some, a day off work. The true purpose of the holiday is a celebration of the achievements and progress of the working class.
Communities, big and small, urban or rural, depend on business and industry, not just for maintaining jobs and the tax base, but because they help define the culture and spirit of the place we call home. They rely on the bakeries, the unique gift shop, the local mechanic’s garage and community grocer that sponsor the little league team; and the large employers, the chains and franchises that invest in our cities and employ our families and neighbours.
We owe much to these employers, but Labour Day is about what is also owed to the workers.
Throughout my career as a trade unionist, I have known one thing: Workers want fairness. They want a level playing field for all workers. I have devoted my time to helping people gain a voice when discriminated against, when treated unfairly by the employer, when rights and freedoms are not respected.
However, the biggest impact on me personally, professionally and politically was helping families find their voice after tragedy. I have stood beside loved ones mourning the loss of a family member, a husband or wife whom they kissed goodbye in the morning for a day filled with promise, who never returned home because the promise of a safe workplace was broken.
Workers deserve and should demand safe working conditions. The legacy I hope to leave as the minister of labour and first NDP labour minister in more than 16 years is to make B.C. the safest jurisdiction in Canada for workers. We have come a long way, but more can be done and must be done.
Whether it’s ensuring safety for workers, giving workers a long overdue raise by increasing the minimum wage, or bringing back the Human Rights Commission dismantled by our predecessors, you can trust that your B.C. government is fighting for families on real issues, such as affordability, well-paying jobs and improved public services, as well as an economy that works for and is inclusive of everyone.
Central to our promises this Labour Day is also our pledge to do everything we can to help reduce preventable work accidents, enforce regulations and support workers in their journey to get back to work.
On this Labour Day, join me in celebrating all that workers have done to make life better for themselves and their families. Harry Bains is the B.C. minister of labour.