May Week Archives
It’s May Day!
Edmonton — It’s May Day! May 1st is the international day of working people, the day millions of people around the world take to the streets to celebrate their achievements and gains, and renew their commitment to justice.
In Edmonton, a broad range of workers will take to the streets in the annual May Day march to show that the struggle for justice and dignity for workers
is as important as ever.
“While some people would like to believe that the place for workers’ solidarity is in a museum, workers themselves know better,” says May Week coordinator Natasha Goudar. “Anyone who has been paying attention to the ongoing struggles of working people in the province over the past year will know why this day is still important.”
The past year saw some of the most widespread labour unrest in recent memory: the Lakeside Packers strike, the Telus lockout, the Finning strike,
the phasing out of jobs at the Celenese plant, the evidence that has come to light over the conflict of interest on the Alberta Labour Relations Board,
and the government designation of the Horizon oilsands development as a special project so CNRL could avoid paying its workers overtime. And, of
course, the victory of Albertans over the Third Way.
“Clearly, as the saying goes, ‘the struggle continues,’” adds Goudar.
The focus of the march will be a celebration of the defeat of the Third Way for health care, but workers will also march to recognize the many issues facing working people here and around the world.
Workers in Edmonton will be joining millions of people around the world in the international event, including hundreds of thousands of people who are expected to skip work and school today to attend rallies in Los Angeles and across the United States to demand that millions of illegal immigrants be granted citizenship rights.
The march begins at Churchill Square and will conclude at the Legislature, where it will be followed by the Youth Street Jam, highlighting young artists and their work, at the Legislature band shell.
What: May Day
When: May 1, 2006
Where:
- Muster at 5:30 pm at Churchill Square
- March to Legislature at 6 pm
- Rally at Legislature at approx. 6:30 pm