For a day so steeped in history and meaning, Labour Day is at risk of becoming just another holiday, according to a local labour leader.

B次元官网网址淚 think all too often people think of Labour Day as simply the last day of summer and getting the kids ready to get back to school,B次元官网网址� said Michael Eso, president of the Victoria Labour Council. B次元官网网址淧eople should reflect on the history of how we got here today.B次元官网网址�

Labour Day celebrations in Canada started in 1882 when unions were fighting for shorter work weeks of 54 hours. From Canada, it spread to the United States. Parades were the initial Labour Day celebrations, but the first Monday of September wasnB次元官网网址檛 made an official holiday in Canada until 1894.

Today, some British Columbians might feel labour rights have B次元官网网址渟erved their time,B次元官网网址� Eso said, B次元官网网址渂ut you donB次元官网网址檛 have to look very far to see that couldnB次元官网网址檛 be further from the truth.B次元官网网址�

He pointed to dangerous jobs, such as firefighting, paramedics or jail guards, as examples that might not appeal to most workers and labour rights help these employees stay safe on the job.

NDP labour critic Raj Chouhan said British Columbians should consider which direction the province is heading this Labour Day.

B次元官网网址淲hen we celebrate Labour Day, I hope the Liberal government understands that (employees), for the last 11 years in B.C., their rights have been undermined by a change of policies.B次元官网网址�

He cited as an example the whittling away of the Labour MinistryB次元官网网址檚 Employment Standards Branch, which now has 10 locations rather than the previous 18, and has had its staff nearly cut in half.

The birth and growth of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 labour movement is something people shouldnB次元官网网址檛 ignore. Rather, it should serve as a lesson, Eso said.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 want to be captured by our history, but we want to be able to learn from our history. Unions are as important today as they were in their formation, even though the circumstances may be different.B次元官网网址�

Chouhan added labour rights are a vital part of any democracy.

B次元官网网址淚f we ignore the importance of labourB次元官网网址檚 contributions, that creates problems like weB次元官网网址檝e seen in some other countries where labour is not respected,B次元官网网址� he said.

Chouhan said Labour Day should remain a holiday for people who work hard all year, but it should also be more than just a day off work.

B次元官网网址淲e have to take a break and relax, thatB次元官网网址檚 for sure, but at same time we must not forget the meaning of Labour Day,B次元官网网址� he said.

Mark your calendar

The Victoria Labour Council is hosting a Labour Day picnic with games, clowns and food.

B次元官网网址� When? Monday, Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

B次元官网网址� Where? Irving Park in James Bay, at Menzies and Michigan streets

B次元官网网址� Who: All ages. Kids eat free.