Good day Union Family,
On June 03, 2021 the Canadian Government officially designated September 30th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday.
This National Holiday was one of the ninety-four recommendations put forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015, and the day has been observed as “Orange Shirt Day” for several years. However, this will be the first year that September 30th will be observed as a Statutory Holiday. The Alberta Government has stated that they will not recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and as a result most workers in Alberta will have September 30th as just another day of work.
Under Local 110 Provincial Construction Collective Agreement Article 6.01 states:
It is agreed that in the event any other day is declared a General Holiday by a Government [Federal or Province Alberta] which has jurisdiction to declare a General Holiday applicable to the work to which the registration certificate applies, then that day shall be recognized as a General Holiday in addition to those listed above.
There is also similar language in both the NMA and GPMA Agreements, as such September 30th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be observed by all Members of Local 110 as a Statutory Holiday with the same overtime requirements as the other Holidays listed in the agreements.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not a normal day off. This day has been set aside as a time to recognize and commemorate the damaging residential school system in Canada. If you have interest in learning more about residential schools, the Indian Act, and how these things have shaped the relationship of Indigenous Peoples with the Canadian Government and other Canadians, I suggest reading Bob Joseph’s book “21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous People a Reality”.
If you have any questions, please contact me at the Edmonton Union Hall.
In Solidarity,
Kevin Lecht