On May 1, workers and activists gathered in front of the old library in downtown Halifax to spread a message of international working class solidarity on International Workers' Day. Since then, a variety of groups have organized actions and cultural events related to International Workers' Day, which will continue until May 16.
Labour Activists and Workers Demonstrate on May 1
During the day, workers and activists from a variety of organizations gathered in front of downtown Halifax's old library building for a May Day rally organized by the Halifax Workers' Action Centre (WAC) and sponsored by the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.
Organizations in attendance included Labour 4 Palestine, Workers' Alliance Halifax, the Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia and the Industrial Workers of the World, as well as unions such as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
The rally focused on the theme of solidarity with all sectors of the working class, both at home and across borders.
The event also included musical performances by Hammer & Sichel and Mike Chandler, who sang union songs and parodies of popular songs.
Rally Against the Nova Scotia Labour Board
On Saturday, May 3, Workers' Alliance Halifax hosted a rally and BBQ outside the offices of the Nova Scotia Labour Board near Halifax's waterfront. The rally celebrated workers' struggles and denounced the Labour Board's long history of helping companies try to prevent workers from unionizing. For example, workers at The Bridge homeless shelter have been fighting for nearly a year to be certified with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2.
Participants and speakers included representatives of SEIU Local 2, Labour for Palestine, Mayworks, the Center for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia. Many took the mic to express their anger with the labour board and solidarity with their fellow workers. A speech from Workers' Alliance highlighted the struggle of Amazon workers in Quebec to remind the crowd that labour legislation imposes limitations on workers' right to strike and organize, not only in Nova Scotia, but across the country.
The rally closed with an “oligarch pinata smash”, in which participants and passersby took to the stage to hit a pinata dressed in a top hat, suit and tie representing a financial oligarch.
Presentation Promoting Solidarity with Palestine
Also on May 3, Labour 4 Palestine Kjipuktuk-Halifax hosted a presentation called "From Mi'kma'ki to Palestine: Solidarity in Action" at the Local Council for Women. Organizers say that the event aimed to spark a deeper conversation around organizing, mutual aid and collective actions that can be taken by workers and community members in the face of fascism, colonial violence and exploitation.
The event began with a virtual presentation from a representative of the Palestinian Postal Service Worker's Union. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion with Mi'kmaw Elder, water protector and land defender Thunderbird Swooping Down Woman, and human rights activist and labour relations professor Larry Haiven of Independent Jewish Voices.
Artwork and literature were sold at the event to raise funds for Palestinian and Indigenous mutual aid initiatives. The afternoon wrapped up with a free barbecue organized by Food Not Bombs Kjipuktuk.
Upcoming Events at the Mayworks Festival
May Day-related celebrations will continue until May 16, with a series of cultural events being hosted throughout the city as part of Mayworks, a “Festival of Working People and the Arts”. Mayworks was first organized in Halifax by the Halifax-Dartmouth and District Labour Council in 2009. Events will include film screenings, musical performances and walking tours highlighting landmarks related to the history of Halifax's working class.