COVID-19 exposed unsustainable economy, says York Region Labour Council

Over 130 buses in Toronto and York Region will feature our 'A Just Recovery For All' ads this September

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 8, 2020
Dina Al-Shibeeb

The Toronto and York Region Labour Council is calling on Monday, Sep. 7, for “A Just Recovery for All” on the historic Labour Day after calling out how COVID-19 has exposed an unsustainable economic model and the continued underfunding and privatization of public services.

“Working people have been on the streets on Labour Day for nearly 150 years, showing our pride in what we do and our ongoing struggle for social and economic justice,” said John Cartwright, president of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council.

Labour Day is remembered the first Monday of every September through parades. However, this year’s parade marks the first time in nearly 150 years that union members and their families, friends and allies will not be marching through the streets of Toronto to keep COVID-19’s rate of infection under check.

“But just because we can’t hit the streets, does not mean we won’t use our collective voice to hold our political leaders accountable for their response and demand a just recovery that puts people’s well-being first,” Cartwright added.

Instead an alternative campaign is unleashed.

The labour movement is commemorating this day with a city-wide transit and digital ad campaign, and a celebratory virtual parade to be launched this Sunday, featuring the wonderfully diversity of Toronto’s working people under the theme Labour Day 2020: A Just Recovery for All.

The virtual parade took place on Facebook and on YouTube.

Over 130 buses in Toronto and York Region will feature our “A Just Recovery For All” ads this September. Featuring the logos of the affiliates who sponsored the ads, they will be out in force for the entire month.

The campaign is organized by The Toronto & York Region Labour Council and sponsored by 39 individual affiliates representing workers across the public and private sectors.

“COVID has devastated jobs and incomes of far too many people. We want a world that invests in our youth and our communities, creates resilience to safeguard against future crises, and, most importantly, allows ALL of us to live with respect and dignity,” said Andria Babbington, Labour Council Vice-President & Hotel/hospitality worker.

The council is making calls to make reforms on Institutional racism.

“Every single day, our sisters and brothers are harmed by the indignity of structural and institutional racism. A Just recovery for all is not about repeating the mistakes of the past,” said Abdi Hagi Yusuf, Labour Council Secretary & postal worker.