Nanaimo, Duncan, & District

Labour Council

P.O. Box 822 Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5N2
Ph:(250)760-0547 labour@telus.net

19th Annual Labour Day Picnic - September 7, 2009

David Rice Guest Speaker

This year, the Nanaimo, Duncan & District Labour Council held our 19th Annual Labour Day Picnic at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith. The meeting began with a greeting from Ladysmith councillor Steve Arnett. Hundreds of union members, their families and friends gathered to honour working people.

Canadian Labour Congress Regional Director David Rice as well as other local labour leaders spoke about issues affecting working people. Rice indicated the CLC fall campaign will focus on raising Canada Pension and E.I. rates.

Popular labour activist and entertainer Art Farquharson entertained with such favourites as "My Boss Pretends To Pay Me", "Banks of Marble", and "You Ain't Done Nothing If You Ain't Been Called A Red". You can see Art on You Tube at Bread & Circuses

Leonard Krog, MLA

MLA Leonard Krog once again was the Master of Ceremonies as everyone ate free hot dogs, listened to the entertainers and speakers, and waited for their ticket to be called by the Union Label booth.

Beverley McKeen and Martyn Jones (shown below) sang both old and new original songs to the great pleasure of the crowd. Beverley is also a CUPE 606 activist, and has just come out with her second CD, Poetic Wax. You can listen to some of her new songs here - Beverley McKeen

Beverley McKeen & Martyn Jones

Not all of Labour Day is devoted to adult activities. Here Victoria Timmersman, our Children's Activities Coordinator makes sure the kids enjoy more than the free hot dogs in the park . Here, she watches over three young visitors trying to see how many bubbles they can make.....

The Union Label Booth, expertly staffed by NDDLC President Ellen Oxman and her "volunteers" gave away lots of union "swag" in the form of jackets, hats, frisbees and more throughout the day.

Jean Crowder, MP for Nanaimo-Cowichan, brought greetings from the BC Caucus of NDP MPs to a warm round of applause.

She described the difficulties in knowing when an election is likely to be called, and said that means we need to be ready.

She also described work she is doing on EI reform and needed improvements to the Canada Pension.

Because of the tremendous cooperation of merchants and volunteers, the Annual Labour Day Picnic has remained free for all union members and their families.

The Labour Day Picnic Chairperson, Betty Smits, noted the outstanding co-operation and donations of equipment and supplies from the following organizations:

Mid Island Co-op    Budget Car & Truck Rental    Canada Safeway   Ladysmith Parks & Rec

We also wish to thank the following unions for donations

HEU Cowichan Valley   Nanaimo Cowichan NDP       Canadian Labour Congress
HEU Orca Shores           Canadian Auto Workers       Nanaimo North Cowichan NDP
TWU Local 3                    BC Ferry & Marine Workers

Betty Smits, Labour Day Picnic Chairperson