The message below is the CAUT Labour Day Statement originally published by the CAUT. The message also appears in the Summer 2016 edition of The Beacon.
(Ottawa – September 1, 2016) The Canadian Association of University Teachers marks Labour Day by recognizing and celebrating the contributions of the trade union movement in Canada.
Through collective representation and bargaining, unions have raised the standard of living for all workers, have secured protections for health and safety in the workplace, and promoted equity and fairness in society.
At Canada’s universities and colleges, unions and employee associations have been and remain crucial advocates for academic freedom and professional rights. This Labour Day, CAUT and its member associations celebrate our past achievements, and restate our commitment to fighting back against the casualization of academic work, to advancing equity, and to promoting health and safety in the workplace.