Stronger communities begin with respect for workers

By Lethbridge Herald on August 29, 2025.

Editor,

Labour Day is a time to celebrate workers and the gains we have made. On Monday, people in Lethbridge will gather in Galt Gardens for our annual Labour Day BBQ. 

It will be an opportunity to share food, connect with people from across the city, and reflect on the struggles and victories of workers that continue to shape our community.

The truth is, when workers stand together, our communities are stronger. From hospitals and classrooms to grocery aisles and construction sites, it is workers who keep this city and this country moving.

But too many families are falling behind. The cost of housing in Lethbridge has outpaced wages. Child care is still out of reach for many. Seniors, Indigenous people, racialized communities, and people with disabilities face rising poverty rates. 

At the same time, corporations post record profits while governments cut services and delay action. These outcomes are not inevitable. They are political choices.

Workers know there is another way. Across Canada, unions have won dental care, anti-scab protections, and progress toward pharmacare, changes that improve life for everyone. Most recently, Air Canada flight attendants delivered a victory that will resonate for generations.

 Just hours into their strike, Prime Minister Carney’s government tried to impose Section 107 of the Labour Code, a rarely used and unconstitutional provision designed to crush their action before it could succeed. CUPE members refused to back down. 

They defied the order, stood together, and forced Air Canada back to the bargaining table. Collective agreements must be negotiated at the table, not imposed by government.

Here in Lethbridge, workers from all sectors have fought to defend health care, push for fair wages, and make sure our voices are heard. 

These struggles show that when workers are organized and determined, we can win real change.

This Labour Day, as we come together as a community, we recommit to those fights. When workers unite, we do more than celebrate the past. We build a stronger and fairer future for everyone.

Krysty Thomas

President, Lethbridge and District Labour Council