A message from NUPGE President Bert Blundon
Posted August 31, 2025
This past month we witnessed the inspiring example of ten thousand unionized flight attendants going on strike to take a stand against poverty wages. When the federal government attempted to interfere in their right to collectively bargain, they were joined in the streets and online by even greater numbers of supporters.
United, they defied the law and forced the employer, Air Canada, back to the bargaining table. Management at Air Canada had done everything in their power to force the government to deny these workers their rights. The broader labour movement and the public were behind these workers and created a moment where the employer had to step up.
All of us occasionally hear the speaking points that unions are “old and irrelevant in the digital age.” That they “served their purpose once upon a time but no longer do.” Rubbish!
Flight attendants proved that unions are more relevant and important than ever. In a world where working people increasingly bear the brunt of multiple crises, unions remain the best way to rise and resist.
But unions cannot be static organizations – living on the victories of the past. We must continue to be champions for workers and all those facing oppression, violence, and bullying. We must engage in every avenue and with all the most powerful tools to advance an agenda based on justice, equity, and democracy.
The challenges are great. From the actions of an increasingly frightening US government; the threat of austerity from federal, provincial, and territorial governments; climate change; rising racism and hatred; to wars around the world…
Our resolve must be greater. We have the numbers behind us; our vision of a world that protects our environment and cares for people not profit, is powerful.
The National Union of Public and General Employees is committed to this vision. We encourage everyone to take a little time this Labour Day to recharge their batteries. Then, let’s join together in building a Canada, and a world, that works for us all.
In solidarity,
Bert Blundon, President