(Ottawa – September 2, 2024) On this Labour Day, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) celebrates the trade union movement and its resilience in defending the rights and conditions of workers in Canada.

At a time when university and college staff are experiencing attacks on their professional rights, concessionary bargaining, and inadequate government funding, our celebration of Labour Day reminds us of the solidarity and resilience of labour unions everywhere.

CAUT pays tribute to the tireless efforts of the trade union movement to stand up for conditions and workplace practices that ensure decent work and respect for professional rights like academic freedom.

“We must renew our commitment to fight for workplace rights and the right for every Canadian to access high-quality post-secondary education,” said CAUT president Peter McInnis. “When we stand together and organize, we build an equitable future where every worker is respected.” 

This coming year promises to be another active year for academic staff associations. CAUT is committed to supporting our members demanding fair compensation, collegial governance, and, as with the Association of McGill Professors of Law, the basic right to form a union and bargain collectively.