Ottawa and District Labour Council
280 Metcalfe St # 5 K2P 1R7 Ottawa, ON, Canada

In case you missed our Virtual Labour Day 2020 March & Picnic, here is an archived copy of the event. Happy Labour Day! #OttLabour https://ottawalabour.nationbuilder.com/ottawa_labour_day_20

It is deeply disappointing and frustrating that a local government can take away holidays from working people. However that’s what has and continues to happen in the city of Ottawa and in communities elsewhere. The removal of Statutory Holidays for workers in the retail sector within specific areas of the city continues to grow and gain momentum. The latest in the city of Ottawa are those workers working at the Tanger Mall in Kanata. The city’s Finance and Economic Develop...ment Committee (FEDCO) unanimously approved an application that would allow for the Mall to open on all statutory holidays except Christmas, Good Friday and Canada Day. This after the Labour Council made a passionate appeal opposing the application. In 2016 the Ottawa Labour Council argued against allowing stores to open on statutory holidays in the Glebe and TD Place. In 2018 the labour council again argued against allowing stores to open on statutory holidays at the Ottawa airport. The FEDCO motion goes to full city council this coming Wednesday September 9th, 2020. If approved Tanger Mall could be open on Thanksgiving Day in October. Those workers who would normally be with their families and loved ones if employed at the Mall would have to work. Please contact the city councillor for your area prior to September 9th by phone or email to tell them you are opposed to the removing of stat holidays for these workers, many of them holding precarious minimum wage jobs. It’s about quality of life, it’s about loved ones, it’s about YOU! Thanks.

To some it’s the end of summer. For others it’s a time to celebrate. Yet others use the holiday to spend with family and friends before the start of the school year. Whatever you choose Labour Day is the day set aside to honour working people and their immense contributions. Marches and picnics in communities across Canada have become a common theme on Labour Day. This year will be somewhat different as the safety and health of all is foremost. Please join us online Monday September 7, 2020 at 11 am EST at www.ottawalabour.org for our Virtual Labour Day March & Picnic.

Pour certains, c’est la fin de l’été. Pour d’autres, c’est le moment de fêter. D'autres encore profitent de ce congé pour passer du temps en famille et entre amis avant la rentrée scolaire. Quelle que soit votre préférence, la fête du Travail est la journée consacrée à rendre hommage aux travailleurs et à leur immense contribution. Les marches et les pique-niques organisés dans les collectivités de tout le pays sont devenus un thème commun de la fête du Travail. Cette année sera quelque peu différente, car la sécurité et la santé de tous sont primordiales. Joignez-vous à nous en ligne le lundi 7 septembre 2020 à 11 h 00 HNE à www.ottawalabour.org dans le cadre d’une marche et d’un pique-nique virtuels de la fête du Travail.

Around the world workers have continuously struggled for many years for their rights, safety, health and workplaces that are fair and just. Though accomplishments have been made in some areas there remains much more to do. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world the importance of workers and the jobs they do. The grocery store clerk, the nurse, the Personal Support worker, the security guard, first responders, education workers, those in construction, store clerks, government workers and so many others. All dedicated to their job and focused on providing a service for the betterment of all. Please join us online Monday September 7, 2020 at 11 am EST at www.ottawalabour.org for our Virtual Labour Day March & Picnic.