May 1st - International Workers' Day (May Day) 2013

ufcw canada may day international workers'day

Ottawa – April 29, 2013 – On May 1st, workers and social justice activists in more than 80 countries around the world will celebrate International Workers' Day – also known as May Day – to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago, Illinois, where police opened fire on a brave group of workers who were striking for an eight-hour workday.

Now in its 122nd year, May Day has become a global celebration of the labour and human rights achievements of the trade union movement as well as the economic and social gains that workers have made since the 19th century. This important day of international action not only marks a significant event in union history, but also emphasizes the unparalleled importance of global solidarity in the face of the rapidly growing gap between the super-rich and the rest of us worldwide.

To honour International Workers' Day 2013, and the ever-important need for global solidarity and action, UFCW Canada is offering a new May Day image that Local Unions can display as a poster and share with members through social media networks like Facebook and Pinterest. The image is available in both French and English and can be downloaded at www.ufcw.ca/posters.

"In addition to commemorating the hard-won victories of working people everywhere, International Workers’ Day emphasises the crucial need for global solidarity, and the essential role that unions serve in creating more fairness in society,” says UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley.