May Day
5:30 PM - 9:30 PM Maritime Labour Centre 1880 Triumph Street Vancouver, BC V5L 4C4
Join us for a celebration of International Workers’ Day (May Day) at the Maritime Labour Centre!
The event will feature a labour and community information fair, speakers, live music, food provided by Tamam: Fine Palestinian Cuisine, workshops, and more! May 1st from 5:30-9:30pm.
FEATURING:
Book launch: ’12 Rules for Strife’
with labour & political cartoonist Sam Wallman
’12 Rules for Strife’ is a handbook for change. We don’t need to wait for a leader or saviour. We don’t need to limit ourselves to comments and clicks. In this stunningly original comic-book tour of a serious topic, Jeff Sparrow and Sam Wallman explore 12 powerful ideas distilled from the history of bottom-up struggle for better lives, better working conditions, and a better world. They show how solidarity can be built across growing divisions — without compromising our values. ’12 Rules for Strife’ shows how together we can change everything.
Sam Wallman is a writer, illustrator and longshoreman based in Melbourne, Australia. He is a member of the Workers Art Collective, and the Maritime Union of Australia. His comics and agit-prop drawings have been published in the Guardian, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the New York Times.
From transit, to housing, to wages, cities make decisions that profoundly impact workers. But local government systems can be challenging to navigate and working people experience barriers to having their voices heard. In this workshop, Women Transforming Cities (WTC) will break down the role of local government, who the key players are, how decisions are made, and how you can influence local leaders to create more affordable, resilient, and equitable communities.
presented by Worker Solidarity Network
Workshop: Fighting for Affordable Housing
presented by the Affordable BC Campaign (BCGEU)
The rising cost of living, driven mainly by increased cost for housing, is the number one issue facing workers in Vancouver (and across BC). In this workshop we will discuss the root causes of the housing affordability crisis and how workers and their unions can use collective power to protect existing affordable housing and increase the supply of public affordable housing.
Workshop: Internationalism 101: Palestine is a Labour Issue
presented by Labour for Palestine
Join L4P Vancouver in a workshop panel from labour activists in Vancouver about international worker solidarity movements. Panelists will share their experience and perspective on building worker power across borders and some of the successes they have participated in. Learn about what you can do within your union to build solidarity in your workplace with workers in Palestine under siege, and with workers across the world.
Music by Left Coast Labour Chorus
Formed in September, 2014, the Chorus is 30-plus singers who merge their voices and their activism in their music.
Some Chorus members are new to choirs; many have been part of other choirs and song groups, including Solidarity Notes, Bargain at Half the Price and Union Train.
Music by Re:Sisters, The Swill Merchants, Spank Williams.
and more…
Thank you to the following sponsors: BC General Employees’ Union, Canadian Union of Public Employees’ Local 15, Hospital Employees’ Union, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 400, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 963, Public Service Alliance of Canada – BC Region
Looking for more May Day activities? Check out the Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts.