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May Day 2026: When workers unite, we all win

On May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, we reflect on what we have won together and on the power of collective action to create change in our workplaces and communities.  

We mark May Day to honour the roots of our movement. On this day in 1886, in Chicago, Illinois, workers took to the streets in a general strike to fight for an eight-hour workday. Their protest was met with violence from anti-union forces determined to stop these protections from becoming reality.  

But when workers stand together, we are powerful. And when we stay united in the face of backlash, we can win lasting change.  

One hundred and forty years later, the eight-hour workday is the standard for many workers, and the labour movement continues to fight to protect these rights and expand them for everyone.  

The eight-hour workday is just one example of what workers have won through organizing. Workers are who secured weekends, maternity and parental leave, health and safety laws, employment standards, and so many other protected rights that we benefit from today.  

PSAC has a long and proud history of helping raise the bar for workers across the country.  

In 1980, over 10,000 PSAC members in clerical and regulatory jobs, positions primarily held by women, organized and took action for equal pay. They won wage increases for themselves and their coworkers and helped spark broader demands for pay equity across the public service.  

In 2026, we carry that struggle forward. We are working to protect the public services that make our country strong. We’re fighting for flexible work arrangements. We are pushing back against the misuse of risky AI technologies that threaten good union jobs. And we’re demanding safe and healthy workplaces for all.  

Today, we recommit ourselves to the solidarity that anchors our movement. Together, we can create change in our workplaces and strengthen our communities and our country.  

We do that by growing our movement and staying united. 

Want to join the campaign to protect public services and workers’ rights? Visit ForYouCanada.ca to sign up and take action. 

Print PSAC’s 2026 May Day poster!

Source: PSAC

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Day of Mourning 2026: Psychological health and safety matters at work

On April 28, workers across Canada mark the National Day of Mourning. We remember those who have been injured, made ill, or killed because of their work, and we recommit to fighting for the living.  

This year, we are highlighting an important truth: psychological health and safety is a core part of occupational health and safety. Work-related stress, burnout, harassment, violence, and exposure to trauma are still too often treated as just part of the job. These are real workplace hazards that can cause serious psychological harm, and they must be prevented like any other occupational health and safety risk.  

We also know that physical injuries can lead to psychological harm. Living with pain, trauma, long recoveries, or dealing with drawn-out workers’ compensation cases can take a significant toll on mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, or depression. That’s why physical and psychological health must be addressed together.  

PSAC and UNE join the Canadian Labour Congress in urging all levels of government to treat psychological health with the same seriousness as physical health under occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation legislation. That means addressing psychological hazards in the workplace through prevention, risk assessment, enforcement, and stronger protections for workers.  

PSAC and UNE are committed to fighting for safer workplaces where both physical and psychological health are protected. To find out how to take action in your workplace, contact your local, check out PSAC’s health and safety toolkit, or learn more about the work PSAC members do at the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).  

Day of Mourning ceremonies are happening across the country. Visit the Canadian Labour Congress’ website to find one near you. 

Source: PSAC

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International Women’s Day 2026 — Where Are We Now?

Every year on March 8, UNE joins a global movement that began more than a century ago — rooted in labour activism, collective struggle, and the fight for equality. International Women’s Day has never been only a celebration. It has always been a call to action.

In 2026, that call still matters.

Across UNE, women continue to shape our union through their leadership, their advocacy, and their everyday contributions. We are proud of the women who strengthen our movement — but pride alone isn’t enough. Equity requires action, solidarity, and honest conversations about where we are and where we still need to go.

Women remain an equity‑seeking group in workplaces across Canada, including within our own union structures. Progress is real, but so are the gaps. And while representation has improved, representation alone doesn’t guarantee equity. The work continues — on the shop floor, in leadership spaces, and in the everyday interactions that shape our workplaces and communities.

What Has Changed — and What Hasn’t

Across UNE, we’ve seen meaningful steps forward:

  • More women stepping into leadership roles
  • Stronger equity language in collective agreements
  • Growing awareness of gender‑based barriers
  • Increased visibility of Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and disabled women’s experiences

But we also see the ongoing challenges:

  • Pay inequity that persists across sectors
  • Disproportionate caregiving responsibilities
  • Harassment and discrimination that remain underreported
  • Barriers to advancement, especially for marginalized women
  • Workplaces that still default to systems built without women in mind

These realities remind us that equity isn’t a milestone — it’s a practice.

Equity is a union issue.
When any group faces systemic barriers, the entire labour movement is weakened. When we remove those barriers, we strengthen our collective power.

At UNE, solidarity means showing up for each other — not only when it’s easy, but when it requires reflection, learning, and change. It means listening to women’s experiences, believing them, and acting on what we hear. It means recognizing that gender equity intersects with race, class, disability, sexuality, and culture.

A Conversation Worth Having

This year, we’re inviting UNE members to reflect with us:

  • What does progress look like in 2026?
  • Where are the barriers still showing up?
  • How do we build a union where every woman — every sibling — can thrive?

These aren’t rhetorical questions. They’re an invitation to shape the future of our movement together.

Moving Forward, Together

International Women’s Day is a reminder that equity doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through collective action, shared responsibility, and the courage to keep pushing for better.

We’re proud of the women in UNE. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made.

We move forward when we move together.

Further Reading

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Labour Day 2025

Labour Day is a day to honour the achievements of workers and the labour movement, and to recognize the ongoing efforts to improve fairness, equity, health and safety, and respect in the workplace.

We encourage you to take this opportunity to reflect on the importance of workers’ rights, the value of solidarity, and the progress that has been made through collective action.

Whether it’s attending a community event, learning more about the history of the labour movement, or simply taking time to rest and recharge, we invite you to mark the day in a way that is meaningful to you.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable Labour Day!

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Celebrating Pride Month: Honoring Our History and Championing Our Future

As the Regional Human Rights Representative for Ontario with the Union of National Employees (UNE), it’s an honor to reflect on Pride Month and its profound significance. As a young Black woman and a member of our vibrant union, I am deeply aware of the intersecting struggles and triumphs that shape our collective journey towards equality and justice.

Pride Month, celebrated every June, is not just a time for festivity but a vital commemoration of a movement rooted in resistance and resilience. The origins of Pride trace back to the Stonewall Riots of 1969 in New York City, a pivotal event ignited by the relentless police harassment of the LGBTQ+ community. This historic uprising began at the Stonewall Inn, a sanctuary for many who were marginalized, particularly Black and Latinx members of the LGBTQ+ community.

It’s crucial to recognize the pivotal role that Black trans women played in the birth of the Pride movement. Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman, alongside Sylvia Rivera, a Latinx trans woman, were at the forefront of the Stonewall Riots. Their courageous defiance against systemic oppression sparked a movement that demanded visibility, respect, and equality for all LGBTQ+ individuals.

Marsha P. Johnson’s legacy is a testament to the power of intersectionality in activism. She reminded us that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is inherently linked to the struggles against racism, sexism, and economic inequality. Today, as we celebrate Pride, we honor her contributions and the countless others who paved the way for a more inclusive society.

For UNE and its members, Pride Month is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to human rights and social justice. Our union has always been a staunch advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ members, recognizing that a truly equitable workplace is one where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is free from discrimination and prejudice.

As a young Black woman within UNE, I am inspired by the rich history of intersectional activism. It motivates me to continue advocating for policies and practices that support and uplift marginalized communities within our union and beyond. From fighting for inclusive workplace policies to supporting LGBTQ+ members facing discrimination, our collective action is crucial in advancing the rights and well-being of all workers.

Pride Month is a time to celebrate how far we have come, but it also serves as a reminder of the work still ahead. By honoring the origins of Pride and the contributions of trailblazers like Marsha P. Johnson, we recommit ourselves to the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. Together, we can create a future where every individual, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity, can live and work with dignity and pride.

In solidarity,

Des Hicken
Regional Human Rights Representative, Ontario
Union of National Employees (UNE)

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International Francophonie Day – #MyMarch20

By the Francophone Committee

On International Francophonie Day, the Francophone members of the Union of National Employees (UNE) want to tell you how the permanent Francophone Committee was created within our Union.

It was in 2008 at the National Component Convention in Toronto—today UNE—that this initiative began to take root in the minds of some Francophone members of our Union, following the bad treatment of one of Canada’s two officials languages. Two years went by before concrete actions were taken.

On Saturday, August 14, 2010 at the Human Rights Conference held in Saskatoon, further to the dissatisfaction of Francophone participants, it was agreed to gather some 15 members of the Union to address problematic situations and try to find fair and equitable solutions to them. Daniel Kinsella, the National President at the time, was invited to attend this meeting. This is how the first Francophone Committee meeting took place.

Some situations that occurred during this conference were deemed unacceptable and drove Francophones to act. Here are some examples:

– Once the French electronic registration to the Convention was completed, the computer program always redirected us to the English site;
– The Saskatoon Coop travel agency offered neither bilingual nor French services;
– The names of some Francophone participants were badly written on the pass identifier;
– The workshop facilitators were not bilingual. The supporting documents were only available in English;
– During workshops, non-bilingual Francophones had to share the services of one single interpreter;
– The lack of simultaneous interpretation at the caucuses and elections;
– The journalist in charge of press was a unilingual Anglophone. When the person he would interview would answer in French, he would cut the conversation short and say “Sorry, I don’t speak French.”

Faced with these numerous findings, the first objective of the committee was to become a permanent committee that was an integral part of the Union’s structure. The National President gave his approval to this initiative.

This is how, during the 2011 National Convention in Saint-John, with the support of a resolution received from the floor of the Convention and adopted by the members present, the creation of UNE’s first permanent Francophone committee took place.

Since its creation, this committee has continued to promote and defend the use of the French language in the operations, activities and events of our Union, as well as everyday society. The major presence of UNE at the various demonstrations supporting Franco-Ontarians last fall—protesting the cuts in French services in Ontario by the Ford Government—illustrates this commitment.

The Committee ensures the representation of a Francophone member in the steering committees of every national conference and convention. A Montreal-based firm is also responsible for translating documents and makes sure that the translators are Francophones. The W.E. Travel, whose services have now been retained by UNE, offers its services in both official languages.

The Francophone Committee wants to thank the people who took the decision to create a Canada-wide Francophone Committee: Louise Patrice, Jean-Pierre Ouellet and Daniel Toutant, as well as the precious contribution of Georges St-Jean, Technical Advisor, and Nicole Clermont, for her administrative support, as well as the entire UNE team for the support and efforts made to make sure that services provided by our Union are done in both official languages of our country.

Happy Francophonie Day!

The Francophone Committee

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Discrimination in the federal public service; one member’s story.

A Union of National Employees member shares a personal experience of discrimination as a member of the LGBT community and its lasting impact.

Greetings,

In light of the Prime Minister of Canada’s apology on November 28th regarding the federal government’s discriminatory practices toward the LGBT community, I wish to share my own personal experience with you and encourage other federal government employees to get on board with the class action.

At the end of the 70s, I applied to a competition open to university graduates at Foreign Affairs for foreign assignments. During the ensuing RCMP security investigations, I declared, in good faith, that I was homosexual.  Following the investigation, they refused to add me to the list of candidates for a position in the department. Through the Access to Information Office, I put in a request to have access to the investigation report. The entire report was essentially positive, but certain portions were struck out.  I then communicated with people who had been contacted during the investigation only to realize that the struck-out information was linked to confirmation of my sexual orientation. I called upon the Human Rights Commission and it rendered a positive decision against this discriminatory situation. Thereafter, the Department of Foreign Affairs accepted to put me on the list of candidates, but a few months later the list was eliminated. I never got the chance to work there.

On the strength of my master’s degree in International Relations, I resolved to work with various community organizations — the only positions available to me at the time. It wasn’t until 2000, at the age of 45, that I finally attempted once again to enter the federal public service. I then obtained a position at Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Six years later, in 2006, I got the opportunity to transfer to the Canadian International Development Agency and, thereafter, to Global Affairs Canada during the amalgamation of the two departments.

Such a long road travelled… from the initial competitive process when I was discriminated against to my entry at Global Affairs Canada. Thirty-three years have gone by!  Due to the missed opportunity of getting into my department at the end of my university studies, here I am, in my early 60s, having to work until I’m 65 years old to obtain a decent pension and this despite my 24 years of seniority. I can’t complain as life has nonetheless been good to me. However, I simply wanted to state what impact these discriminatory decisions have had on my life’s course.

I am convinced that many of you have also had a career path made more difficult due to the prevalence in the past of discriminatory policies within the federal government. Therefore, I encourage you to do the same thing as me and take part in the class action.  This obviously will not be a solution to everything. However, it will provide some compensation for the difficulties we have encountered.

I thank you for hearing out my testimony!

 

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Harper Stopped

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After ten years of cuts to government services, lies about security and climate change, disrespect to indigenous people and deception to Canadians on so many other levels, voters stormed the polls and finally put a stop to Stephen Harper and his conservative regime. Canada has voted to stop the cuts.

“It has been obvious to our members and it became obvious to Canadians during this election that parliament was broken, ruled by a secretive and dishonest government,” said UNE national president Doug Marshall. “We hope to work with the incoming government to establish positive labour relations and hold the Liberals to the promises they outlined in their party’s platform.”

Some of those promises we will watch closely include:

  • Restoring a public service where employees are respected and valued
  • Increasing taxes for our country’s highest earners
  • Increasing the funding for needed infrastructure projects
  • Establishing an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women
  • Repealing various anti-worker and anti-union laws

The Union of National Employees is prepared to work with the new government in order to achieve positive change for Canadians and a strong and effective public service.

 

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Canadians voted for change

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PSAC calls on new Parliament to restore public services and repair relations with federal public service employees

OTTAWA –Canadians rejected the Harper Conservatives and voted for change on October 19 and that is good news for Canada, says the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

“The new Liberal government has a strong mandate for change,” said PSAC National President Robyn Benson. “That change needs to include restoring public services and building a positive relationship with the federal public service.  We call on the Liberals to practice a new kind of politics and to work collaboratively with the NDP and other progressives in Parliament to put Canada back together again.”

Before and during the election, the PSAC carried out a public information campaign to convince Canadians to vote to stop the cuts made by the previous Conservative government. A poll carried out just before polling day found that a large percentage of Canadians believed the cuts would affect the election outcome.

“We know from our own campaign work that voters were fed up with the Harper Conservatives’ attacks on the public service. As the largest public service union, we look forward to sitting down with the new government as soon as possible to discuss how to repair the damage done including how to improve labour relations in the federal public service,” said Benson.

The Harper Conservative government passed successive omnibus bills in its last four years fundamentally changing collective bargaining laws, as well as health and safety protections for federal workers.  During the campaign the Liberal Party of Canada promised to restore the bargaining rights of federal government employees and to repeal the anti-union legislation passed by the Conservatives.

“We call on the new government to act on these promises without delay,” concluded Benson.

PSAC is calling on the new Parliament to:

  • Restore and strengthen federal public services, including the re-opening of Veterans Affairs offices closed by the Conservatives in 2014.
  • Repeal the parts of budget implementation bills (C-4, C-10, C-59) that changed labour laws, imposed wage reductions, took away pay equity rights, weakened workplace health and safety protections, and gave the Government the unilateral right to remove the sick leave provisions in negotiated collective agreements.
  • Restore the right of unions to represent members with respect to pay equity claims.
  • Repeal Bill C-525, which makes it harder for workers in the federal sector to organize, and Bill C-377, which is both unconstitutional and a violation of privacy rights.

Source: www.psacunion.ca

 

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National Day of Mourning – A Dignified Remembrance

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By Kevin King

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to attend our UNE National Convention in Toronto, it was an opportunity to renew friendships and  forge  new ones. We debated issues important to ourselves, and more importantly, members we represent.

There were a lot of activities near our convention site, the Royal York Hotel on Front Street, and delegates and guests made use of the facility and the many locations around it.

On the first morning of proceedings, I went out along Front Street, walked about three blocks or so, and came to a monument for workers killed on the job in Ontario between 1900 and 1999.

The Tribute called the WSIB Simcoe Park Workers Monument, located directly across from the Toronto Metro Convention Centre, near Spadina Avenue,

Two separate pieces of work combine to make this monument. The first is called 100 Workers and it consists of two long, low walls made out of polished red granite. On the top of the walls are 100 bronze plaques, engraved with the name of a worker who died in a workplace accident. There is one worker named for each year from 1901 until 1999. The plaque for the year 2000 has been left blank.

The second part of this monument is called The Anonymity of Prevention. This is a bronze sculpture of a man, dressed in work clothes and wearing full safety gear, kneeling on one knee and appearing to chisel into the wall of 100 Workers.

I could not take my eyes of the beautiful stonework that described the names, where they worked, and how they died on the job.

They had families, and I am most certain they expected to be home to those families each and every day after their work was completed.

I wish I had told the convention delegation of this find, three blocks from the hall, and felt a little guilty that I did not share an opportunity to mark our visit with a solemn procession and a dignified remembrance.

Let us go forth and always recognize April 28th, the national day of mourning for workers killed or injured on the job, and make more resolute our commitment as union activists to make our workplaces safe from any workplace hazards or occupational diseases.

To view photos of the Monument, please click here.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kevin King
National Executive Vice-President
Union of National Employees, PSAC