May Day 2025 in Niagara
- Brock Opirg
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
As we approach May Day in Niagara again this year, we want to make sure everyone knows about the different labour movements happening!
If you are hosting labour movement event and want to add it to this list, please email info@opirgbrock.com
April 22 at 6:30pm - A Left Program for the Future of Labour: Raquel Varela and Roberto della Santa talk at Niagara Artists Centre
Raquel Varela and Roberto della Santa will be spending a week or so in Niagara and Toronto in April. This will be a rare opportunity for leftists in the Niagara-Hamilton region to discuss key issues facing the labour movement and the Left from an internationalist perspective. A similar event will be occurring two days later (on April 24) at York University.
Professor Varela will also be giving a keynote address in Toronto on Saturday, April 26 at a celebration of Portugal’s “Carnation Revolution.” She is the author of “A People’s History of the Portuguese Revolution” and “A People’s History of Europe - From WW 1 to Today.” She is also a novelist and a well-known public intellectual in Portugal. Roberto della Santa, a professor and a researcher at Lisbon’s Center for Global Studies, will be supplementing Professor Varela's talks.
The organizers and sponsors of the event in St. Catharines look forward to an exciting exchange of ideas on the evening of April 22nd.
Organized by the Niagara Regional Labour Council and CUPE 4207.
April 26 - 1pm - Community Activist Gathering hosted by OPIRG Brock
This will be a space for community groups and activists across all sectors - labour, art, social justice, mutual aid, social services, labour unions, & more to connect and meet one another!
Promo coming soon! If you would like to register for this event, please email info@opirgbrock.com
April 28 - National Day of Mourning organized by the Niagara Regional Labour Council
Workers are killed by workplace hazards every day. Every year, hundreds of thousands more suffer injury or illness because of their working conditions. They are not forgotten.
April 28 is our National Day of Mourning to remember workers who have suffered work-related disability, disease and death. The Canadian Labour Congress first declared the Day in 1986. More than 100 countries now observe the Day too.
Please join the NRLC for events around the region this day to celebrate and remember those who were injured on the job or never made it home.
May 1 at 5pm - Free screening of UNION at the St. Catharines Public Library
Join Niagara labour activists and unions, alongside Ontario Amazon workers for May Day in Niagara to watch and discuss the 2024 award winning documentary UNION and workers' right to unionize!
TICKET LINK: bit.ly/maydaystcfilm
Only 50 tickets available - don't hesitate, get your ticket today! Bring a group!
Doors open at 5pm. Film runtime is 1h42.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/3545736452398059
April 28-May 15 -
Association for the Rights of Household and Farm Workers (DTMF) is leading a Charter class action challenging restrictions on migrant workers' right to change employers — including conditions that tie work permits to specific employers. But knocking down harmful policies is just one part of the fight. This unfreedom and other restrictive measures must be replaced with a labour im·migration policy that upholds dignity, security, and equal rights for all workers.
Working with im·migrant workers and the groups that support them, we plan to bring a legislative proposal requiring from the federal government the implementation of a labour im·migration system that is just and fair for all. To shape this proposal and ground it in a shared vision, the process will include the collaborating drafting of a Declaration of Fundamental Rights—that sets out the core values and principles that should inform an alternative, rights-based framework. You’ll find additional details about the project in the attached pamphlet and timeline.
As a first step, a series of virtual focus groups where workers and allies can express their vision and priorities will be held from April 28 to May 15. Each virtual focus group will address a specific theme and will be held in English, French and Spanish. We encourage you to participate in the virtual sessions most relevant to your work, interests, or experience. The topics and dates for the English sessions are as follows:
Work Permits: April 28 and May 13, 2025, 1:30-3:00 PM (EST)
Family Unity: April 29 and May 12, 2025, 1:30-3:00 PM (EST)
Regularization & Permanent Status: April 30 and May 15, 2025, 1:30-3:00 PM (EST)
Recruitment & Sponsorship: May 1 and May 14, 2025, 1:30-3:00 PM (EST)
We invite you to REGISTER now (ideally before Monday April 21st) for one or more of these focus group sessions via this form.
If these times don’t work for you but you’re still interested in participating in the consultation process, or if you want the schedule of sessions held in Spanish or French, please reach out to info@dtmf-rhfw.org — we’ll be happy to arrange a virtual one-on-one conversation or to share a survey that you can complete at your convenience.
Thank you in advance for sharing this invitation with anyone in your organization or network who may be interested in participating.
We look forward to hearing from you and collaborating on this vital work.
June 2 - Sex Workers Solidarity Film Screening & Panel at the MIWSFPA, Room 156
Partnership between Positive Living Niagara, OPIRG Brock, Niagara Reproductive Justice, & Brock Human Rights & Equity
More details coming soon!
If you want receive updates about this event, please email communication@opirgbrock.com or call/message 365-855-2768.
