NDP candidate touts workers’ rights at Labour Day march

By: Jura McIlraith Posted: 6:24 PM CDT Monday, Sep. 2, 2024

Union members and workers from the province gathered in Memorial Park Monday for the Winnipeg Labour Council’s Labour Day march.

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Union members and workers from the province gathered in Memorial Park Monday for the Winnipeg Labour Council’s Labour Day march.

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This article was published 02/09/2024 (397 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Union members and workers from the province gathered in Memorial Park Monday for the Winnipeg Labour Council’s Labour Day march.

The afternoon marked the council’s 130th anniversary and it endorsed Elmwood-Transcona NDP candidate Leila Dance, who pledges to advocate for workers and their rights if elected in the Sept. 16 byelection.

Dance grew up in a “union-friendly household,” she told the crowd of nearly 200 that marched to the Union Centre on Broadway. Her dad also fought for workers’ rights and worked for CN and was a part of the United Transportation Union Local 1874, which is now Teamster Union Local 979.

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Elmwood-Transcona by-election candidate Leila Dance take part in the Winnipeg Labour Council’s Labour Day rally and march in Winnipeg Monday.

“My dad just did it because he was protecting his coworkers. He knew the importance of fighting for fair wages, safe work spaces and making sure that we were standing up to the company,” Dance said. “I’m proud to stand next to the provincial NDP and the federal NDP and continue to fight for that.”

Dance added she’s walked the picket line three times now — twice beside her dad and now, a few weeks ago, beside her brother who is also part of the Teamsters.

Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said if elected, the NDP will lobby for Canadian workers and reverse cuts made by previous Conservative government.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said the provincial NDP is working to bring in anti-scab legislation, meaning workers exercising their right to strike cannot be replaced. He also hinted that the province is about halfway to hitting its staffing targets in the health care system in support of workers.

“We love unions and we feel a connection to union. It’s more than just politics,” Kinew said, referencing Thompson MLA Danielle Adams.

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
Elmwood-Transcona by-election candidate Leila Dance pledges to advocate for workers and their rights if elected in the Sept. 16 byelection.

Adams was the first female MLA to serve in the riding and died in a 2021 collision while on her way to Winnipeg for an NDP fundraiser. Kinew said his government is committed to creating fair and safe workplaces for everyone.

Elmwood-Transcona has not had representation in Parliament since April. At the time, three-term MP Daniel Blaikie instead took on the role of special adviser on intergovernmental affairs for the provincial NDP.

Dance is on the ballot with union electrician Colin Reynolds for the Conservatives, Sarah Couture representing the People’s Party of Canada, former teacher Ian MacIntyre for the Liberals, Nic Geddert as the Green Party candidate and the new centrist Canadian Future party candidate Zbig Strycharz.

Singh feels confident in Dance, who serves as the director of Transcona BIZ.

“Leila Dance is a strong candidate, the only candidate that actually lives in the riding and has deep roots,” Singh said. “(She) is fighting for the people.”