Commentary, nature, Photography

Labour Day

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The Labour Day holiday originated in Canada in 1872 after a prolonged fight for the right to formally organise began with the Toronto Typographical Union who were striking to limit the working day to eight hours. This directly lead to the development of the federal Trade Unions Act, legislation that confirmed the legality of unions and formalised the rules for their place.

Ten years later, the Canadian trade union parades that brought attention to the need for good working conditions were noted in the United States and the United Kingdom, leading to those countries’ own formalised labour movements. The U.K. had trade unions as early as 1717, but they were declared illegal and getting them recognised and organised was a struggle that lasted until the late 19th century.

In 1894, Labour Day became a statutory public holiday in Canada marked for the first Monday in September. Since then, it has become somewhat unmoored from its “fair labour practice” roots and tied more closely to other traditions.

In North America, it’s the last long weekend of summer; for many, September 2 is the first day of classes for the new academic year. Between trying to enjoy a last bit of time off and getting students ready to return to school or uni, it can be very busy.

In Canada it’s the start of Canadian League football and traditionally was also the point at which you were no longer supposed to wear white – a practice that is no longer with us, I’m happy to say. Many also see it as a firm but unofficial end to summer fun and relaxation and the start of getting back at the job of serious work. No more summer hours!

Although its connection to labour unions may have seriously weakened over the years, Labour Day itself and the fact that it exists as a holiday represents the determination, focus and struggle of those early organisers who fought to ensure the beginnings of the fair labour practices and standards we enjoy today.

That’s something to remember and honour.

52 thoughts on “Labour Day”

  3. Fireworks tonight? I’m usually watching US Open tennis but I’ll be in Poland this evening so that’s doubtful. Labour Day in Portugal – and also in Poland-falls in May but is essentially the same celebration xx

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    1. Fireworks on Labour Day depends on the province and community and more recently, on how dry it is because of the fire risk. Some regions have them, others not. There are no plans for them here but beaches and barbeques? Definitely lots of that! Yes, I remember May 1 from my time living in Germany where it’s also a different name but same idea. Enjoy your time in Poland. 😊 Cheers.

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  5. As a Canadian, I did not know any of this! After the Air Canada flight attendant strike, and during our turbulent political and economic times it is good to remember the struggle for working people to improve their working conditions. I hope you have a good day.

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    1. Thank you very much. I agree that it’s good to remember how Labour Day came about. I found it ironic that in spite of their legal strike position, Air Canada employees were legislated back to work. The government seems to be doing a lot of that recently. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Thanks for commenting.

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  6. I didn’t know the basis for Labour Day began in Canada. Even though celebrated at different times and under different names, it has strong roots. Have a great LabourbDay Lynette, I imagine it’s busy in the Okanagan, Maggie

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    1. Most countries seem to have had a point at which trades in particular organised to force better working conditions; ours just happened to come first and at an historical point when the public tide was turning against what was seen at the time as the greedy, careless and wealthy employers. Canada had only been formalised as a country for five years and I think Sir John A was being mindful of his job, too! In Europe it’s usually May 1 and when I lived in Germany I noted that it seemed to be a more active thing. Yes it’s been very busy around here! Have a good one. Cheers.

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  7. A good summary Lynette. The current bargaining system is deeply broken with employers and unions as adversaries instead of allies to get the deal done. To them both, it now seems to be about money and big wins. I think the labour laws need a refresh to ensure that negotiations are completed in a more timely fashion before current agreements expire. Our public school teachers will go to class on Tuesday, but likely on strike by Friday, as the province seeks to make them the culprits, as the provincial deficit increases through no fault of the teachers. Sounds a lot like my old career, except I was management and often got 0% increases. Happy Labour Day and wear white. 😁Allan

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    1. Thank you very much, Allan. I agree that there are serious issues and that labour laws need to be updated to ensure the negotiations are on a realistic footing instead of a game of brinkmanship with yes, the big wins (and losses).That just creates resentment.

      A good friend of mine has worked as a teacher in Medicine Hat for the last 15 years (she retired in June) and other than cost of living adjustments, had only received one raise that was back in 2010 or 2011. She was making exactly the same in June as she was in 2015. And of course, the vitriol towards teachers in Alberta is unbelievable. I suspect they’re not going to get anywhere much with a strike, the ATA will be forced to cave in or the public negativity will force the status quo. Agreed, the provincial deficit isn’t their problem but I’m sure Smith will find a way to blame them. Happy Labour Day to you, too. Cheers.

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  9. Loved the history lesson. I think America’s connection to Unions remains strong if my search for ‘Labor Day’ photos is proof. So many about unions and trades! Though our Union membership has dropped dramatically.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the post, Jacqui. They’re still pretty strong here too but it seems that their effectiveness is dropping off. It’s often more about “winning” as opposed to ensuring fair pay and safe working conditions, here, anyway.

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  10. Happy Labour Day, Lynette. It’s like any other day for me, I’ve never been a fan of unions, they are abusive and demand too much.

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    1. Thanks, John. 😊 Some definitely can be but without them we wouldn’t have the fair pay and safe working conditions we enjoy now. They seem to have lost their connection to that though. Many of them are more about “winning” rather than anything else.

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      1. I see. Years ago when my dad still had his GM auto dealerships, the employees were talking about unionising, he said if that happens, the doors will be locked on Monday. It never happened.

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        1. Many of today’s unions have completely lost touch with the reasons for their existence. 150 years ago many employers were almost like gods who could treat their employees however they wanted to and often did with 16 hour working days, unsafe environments and criminally low pay. People had to organise to fight back against that and did. We’re better off for that today but it seems that many unions are now past their usefulness. We’re at the point (here, anyway) where it’s really more about a need to update the labour laws. If your dad was providing good conditions and fair pay then he had to fight back. That’s how it goes.

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          1. Well said, Lynette! They have lost their way… When I was working at the dealerships I was told by more than one employee that they enjoyed working for my dad as he was one of the guys.

            He was the owner who while in his suit and tie would grab a coffee and walk through the different areas of the shop and talk with the employees. Not a stuck up owner!

            Very respectable. Each thanksgiving he gave each employee a turkey too! 😂❤️

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  11. Like most of your readers, I didn’t realize that Labor Day originated in Canada; our list of things from Canada to be grateful for continues to grow! Lovely photos, Lynette, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

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    1. Thank you very much, Tricia. I wish you the same. 😊 Labour union momentum was growing in many countries at the time, we just happened to hit the right confluence of events to get them through first. 😊 Cheers.

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  12. Loads of info i didn’t know, so thanks. I laboured yesterday! Photos of the lake make me jealous! I needed that water yesterday afternoon when it was 31!!

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    1. You’re welcome, Bernie. My pleasure. We had 33 yesterday so I understand completely. I would share if I could! We’re still looking at a very warm upcoming week with 34-35 every day. So unusual for this time of year.

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  18. Oh interesting. I actually didn’t know much about the origins and history of Labour Day in Canada. I’m among those that tend to view it as the unofficial end of summer. It’s nice to have that extra day off in preparation for the start of the school year, or day care for our little M. She did well on her first day yesterday, granted she only went for two hours. But she’ll be back today for a bit longer.

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    1. It’s amazing that she’s already starting day care! Good that she did well and fantastic that she can start slowly. I hope she continues to adjust well. I used to see Labour Day as the end of the summer too but once school and uni were over I realised that summer really continued merrily on past the long September weekend! Cheers.

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      1. Today wasn’t as smooth, but she did okay. Tomorrow she’ll be staying for nap time, which I’m curious to see how that goes. It’s still such a struggle to get her to go to sleep, whether for a nap or at night!

        And glad to hear that over time September still feels like summer. It’s nice to hang onto those final days of summer.

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        1. Oh yes, wonderful to hang on to those last bits of summer!

          Going to day care is such an adjustment. She sounds like my son when he was that age: it was terrible trying to get him to sleep! He would really struggle to stay awake. I think it was because there were so many things to see and do and he was afraid he would miss out. We really had to practise sleep hygiene to get him to just give in. It got easier as he got older though.

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          1. We couldn’t believe it when the day care told us how M fell asleep so quickly without any issues at nap time yesterday. Funny how kids can act so differently without their parents around. And I guess the issue is us! And here I thought it was what you were describing and the fear of missing out. But good to know it gets easier with age.

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          2. That’s fantastic and so great that you don’t have to worry about it! Agreed, kids can be very different when away from their parents and it’s probably also that she played really hard, too, which is a good sign that she’s engaged and participating. Yes, it may be you and dad and how she’s figured out how to behave around you to try to stay up!

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