International Workers’ Day (May Day)
April 19, 2024
On International Workers’ Day, or May Day, we recognize the efforts of our forebears in the labour movement. Around the world, events are held to honour those who have worked and fought to ensure better rights, wages and working conditions for all workers, and to speak out about ongoing labour issues and injustices.
International Workers’ Day began in July 1889 when delegates to the International Workers’ Congress, held in Paris, called upon workers around the world to hold a one-day demonstration to fight for the eight-hour workday. May 1 was chosen to commemorate the first May Day actions which took place in the United States in 1886. In Chicago, the epicenter of the 1886 protests, 40,000 workers went on strike to protest for an eight-hour workday. After days of peaceful demonstration, violence erupted in Chicago's Haymarket Square and a bomb blast and the ensuing police response resulted in the deaths of several police officers, protesters and civilians.
Support #CareNotProfit
ONA members have taken stands on major labour concerns in health care, including workplace violence, health and safety, safe staffing and pay equity. They are committed to speaking out about any issues that directly affect their ability to deliver high quality care to Ontarians.
Vulnerable nursing homes residents are put at risk every day because there are not enough nurses and health-care professionals to provide safe, timely, appropriate care. For-profit corporations like Extendicare are making record profits while their residents and staff face dangerous conditions.
Front-line nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered practical nurses, personal support workers, and guest attendants are fighting for care not profit. They are negotiating a new contract with their employers that includes staffing ratios and equal wages with hospital nurses. Support nurses and health-care professionals and demand corporations invest in staffing ratios and equal wages so residents get the care they need and deserve.
