OSSTF/FEESO Celebrates Labour Day With All Workers on September 2

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 30, 2013) - The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) invites everyone in Ontario to join their 60,000 members in celebrating Labour Day on Monday, September 2.

"Labour Day gives us all an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of the labour movement for over a century in the interests of all workers in our country," said OSSTF/FEESO President Paul Elliott. "The end result of those struggles for better rights for all workers has been a prosperous nation with a long term stable economy, which includes a public education system in Ontario that is among the best in the world."

"Our members will be participating in organized Labour Day events taking place in 27 communities across Ontario," commented Elliott. "Labour Day is also an opportunity to remind us all about the recent attacks that have taken place against our rights as workers. It reminds us of the need to stand in solidarity against those who would support legislation that would threaten the just and fair society we have all built together."

President Elliott continued by reflecting on the origins of the holiday. "Labour Day has its roots in Ontario back in 1872 when a parade was called to support the Toronto Typographical Union's strike for a work week that would be less than sixty hours per week. Twenty-seven other labour organizations stood in solidarity with that union and joined their strike."

"Today, in the face of more aggressive and bold attacks against the rights of workers, we must all stand together to ensure that governments do not put the priorities of corporations ahead of the interests of working Canadians," concluded Elliott.

OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.