At this year’s Labour Day Parade the York Federation of Students were present to walk in solidarity with thousands of union representatives, workers and unemployed Ontarians. The YFS union has dealt with its share of controversy over the past academic year as they supported the demands of CUPE 3903 strikers in the 3 month long strike. The union also campaigned for a 12% student rebate for lost class time during the strike and had to deal with a bid by students to impeach the administration.
This school year the YFS union is headed by Krisna Saravanamuttu who shares his thoughts on the parade, CUPE 3903 and the state of the Canadian economy.
Why does Toronto have a labour day parade?
To recognize the intricate links between labour, funding, proper wages and the access and affordability of education.
Why has YFS joined the parade today?
To celebrate the contributions of labour to society and the economy and to recognize the issues that plague workers in this country. There is not enough investment in workers. Governments are bailing out CEOs but not workers.
What is YFS’s connection to the Canadian unions?
YFS is a student union. It recognizes the issues that students and workers face. [For instance] There has been a lack of government funding since the [Mike] Harris days.
How are the relations between CUPE 3903 and YFS today?
We have a good relationship. We supported the demands of CUPE 3903 but not the strike. We wanted a settlement to be negotiated.
What is the role of unions in Canada today?
Unions play an integral role in society. They represent workers in an independent manner while advocating and lobbying for workers’ issues.
What are YFS’s current campaigns?
The union is working together with CUPE Ontario for the Drop Fees for a Poverty Free Ontario Campaign. The Drop Fees campaign works for more funding to transportation, childcare and housing. The sectors that will help students and the economy. November 5th is our day of action when we will march for more public funding. Our goal is to present Premier Dalton McGuinty with 100 000 signed postcards [that call] for student funding.
What else is YFS involved in?
We do outreach to communities, engaging with them and motivating them. We have gone to the Jane and Finch area, Scarborough, and Oshawa, where there were many layoffs, to talk to them about [workers’ and students’] issues.
What issues should Canadians be concerned about?
That underfunding is linked to the Harper government’s war in Afghanistan, which cost 22 billion by 2008. This could have been used for social spending. It would take 3 billion dollars for students to have a [free] education.
How can Canadians get involved in your campaigns?
You can go into your MP’s office to demand a Post Secondary Education Act that is necessary to guarantee spending for Post Secondary Education. You can also go to your MPP and say that students who are the future of the economy do not have capital to put back in the economy. You can say that there is a provincial student debt of 5 billion dollars and a national student debt of 13 billion dollars which is at an all time high. The unemployment of students is at a 30 year high. With a lack of funding there is a cycle of poverty. The government needs to adequately fund students.
The YFS union’s campaign information can be accessed at www.dropfees.ca, where Canadians can join their Drop Fees campaign for affordable post secondary education in Canada.
Really informative- thanks! I only recently learned about the Labour Day parade, and it isn’t often enough that we think about the worker.