Today is International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day. The Canadian Union of Public Employees explains that on May 1st, workers honour and draw inspiration from the activism and collective power that won the struggle for an eight hour workday.

President of CUPE Saskatchewan, Judy Henley, believes the pandemic has exposed the weaknesses and gaps in workplace protections.  She says, throughout the pandemic, front-line workers have shown up to their jobs despite the risks to their own health and their families, and the union will not allow governments to use COVID-19 as a political cover to roll back workers’ basic rights.

CUPE Saskatchewan is the largest union in the province, representing over 30,000 workers in health care, education, universities, community-based organizations, childcare among other sectors.