The Canadian Labour Congress at Fifty: Commitment and Determination

OTTAWA ... The Canadian Labour Congress turns fifty this month. It was on April 23rd, 1956, at a convention in Toronto, that the Canadian Labour Congress was born from the union of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada and the Canadian Congress of Labour.

-In fifty years, we have accomplished so much yet there is much more to be done," says Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress. -Everyone who works for wages, one day or another, comes to realize that a union means better pay, benefits and pensions. Over the last fifty years, in their daily struggle for fairness, equality, and opportunity, the unions of the Canadian Labour Congress have improved the quality of life of all Canadian families."

Over the years, the Canadian Labour Congress has been instrumental in helping to bring to all Canadians so many benefits that were first bargained in collective agreements one workplace at a time. Most notably: the Canada Pension Plan, overtime and holiday pay, student loans, universal public medicare, laws promoting health and safety including the right to refuse dangerous work, protection against harassment and more recently maternity and parental leaves.

In a show of public recognition of this record of accomplishments and of service to Canadian working families, on April 20, Canada Post will issue a commemorative 51-cent stamp celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Labour Congress.

-We are thankful for this public acknowledgement of the value of unions to Canadian society and economy," says Georgetti.

-Over the next few months, in our regular work, the officers and staff of the Canadian Labour Congress will also mark this 50th anniversary with renewed commitment and determination to promote and improve the rights and the quality of life of working Canadians."

The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 3 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada's national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 135 district labour councils.