Labour Day message from Tony Martin

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

************************* Martin gives thanks for labour unions and workers

SAULT STE. MARIE – Decent wages, workplace safety, pensions and better social policy which many enjoy and sometimes take for granted are the fruits of hard work by our labour unions, Sault MP Tony Martin said today in a Labour Day message.

Martin, who will attend the Steelworkers appreciation afternoon at Bellevue Park today, said unions and their workers have a key place in a strong economy.

“Unemployment insurance, minimum wage, the old age pension, Canada Pension Plan and social assistance are examples of campaigns unions waged successfully. We need unions to fight job loss because otherwise everyone loses in our communities,” Martin said.

“Unions also lobby governments hard for stricter regulations on the banks and the financial industry.”

Martin noted unions and their leadership can always improve to be true to their mandate.

“I have to say though that It is not always popular in some quarters to speak favorably about unions but we forget our history and the sweat of those who gave us the benefits many enjoy in our communities. There is that tendency to want to cut wages and workers in an economic downturn but we also need to have checks and balances on runaway capitalism. “Our Steelworkers and many others with the Sault Ste. Marie and District Labour Council are good community partners in making our area a better place to live, work and play.”

*************************