VANCOUVER— Enhance and defend worker rights. Strengthen labour laws. Support the right of workers to organize. These are the things Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, said politicians need to make a priority to win the votes of workers.
“We must be under no illusions that workers are having a very hard time making ends meet,” said Bruske, addressing delegates to the 2024 CUPE BC convention. “They want change. And they want us to fight for them, with them. Change that gives workers better pay and more respect. Change for the good of all workers.”
Bruske is only the second woman to lead the CLC, representing over 3 million workers and a quarter million retirees across Canada. Bruske highlighted the many wins unions have achieved for Canadian workers, such as paid sick leave, childcare, healthcare improvements, dental care for children, investments to housing and infrastructure, apprenticeship training, and pension protections.
“That’s how workers get things done. We show up, and we sure as hell aren’t done yet,” said Bruske, calling on CUPE BC delegates to come together to ensure that the hard-fought gains of workers are not stripped away by the reactionary right-wing.
“A federal conservative government led by an idealogue like Pierre Poilievre will create a country where workers and Canadians are less safe. Where we have fewer protections. And where workers will share less of the wealth. Where workers rights are undermined… We can’t let that happen,” said Bruske.
Bruske left delegates with a bold call to act. “Together, let’s continue to roll up our sleeves, because nothing, absolutely nothing, beats the power of worker solidarity, so let’s kick some ass for the working class my friends!”
