May Day: Celebrating the Power of Workers
May 1st marks International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day or Labour Day – a time recognized around the world to reflect on the contributions of workers and the ongoing importance of collective action.
Rooted in the labour struggles of the late 19th century – including the fight for the eight-hour workday in the United States and the tragic 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago – May Day has long symbolized the push for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize. These movements also helped shape the growth of labour rights in Canada. While much has been achieved, these priorities remain just as relevant today on both sides of the border.
For IFPTE members across Canada and the United States, May Day serves as a reminder that progress in the workplace doesn’t happen by accident. It is built through advocacy, solidarity, and a shared commitment to improving conditions for all workers.
As we recognize May Day, it’s also an opportunity to look ahead – to continue strengthening our workplaces, supporting one another, and ensuring that the voices of workers remain central in the decisions that affect them. The gains of the past were won through collective action – and the progress ahead will be, too.
Remember the Dead. Fight for the Living: Day of Mourning 2026
Earlier this week, IFPTE members joined workers across Canada to mark the National Day of Mourning on April 28. In Winnipeg and communities nationwide, ceremonies honoured those killed, injured, or made ill because of their work – while renewing a commitment to prevention. This year’s observances highlighted a growing reality: workplace harm is not always visible. Alongside physical injuries, workers are increasingly facing psychological hazards — including trauma, violence, harassment, and burnout – across sectors.
“Defund this Union-Busting” – As DOD Moves to End Collective Bargaining Agreements, IFPTE Urges Senate Appropriators to Act
In response to Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth’s Union busting directive across all Department of Defense (DOD) agencies, IFPTE ramped up the pressure this week on Senate appropriators, particularly Senate Appropriations Chairperson, Maine Senator, Susan Collins, by urging appropriators, “to defund this union-busting as part of the current Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations cycle…”.
IFPTE Congratulates and Thanks SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001 Midwest Director, BJ Moore, on His Retirement
SPEEA honored and thanked Brother BJ Moore this week as he is set to retire after 25 years of service to SPEEA members. Brother Moore first served as Midwest contract administrator in 2002 before assuming his current role as Midwest Director in 2016. Before coming to SPEEA, BJ was a SPEEA member employed by Boeing in Wichita, Kansas.
IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer Henson, Guest on “Uncancellable with Dale Jackson” – Discusses the Future of the Tennessee Valley Authority
Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson was a guest this week on the “Uncancellable with Dale Jackson” radio talk show in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to discuss the future of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as the nation’s largest public utility. Henson, who served as president of the Engineering Association (EA/IFPTE Local 1937), representing 2,500 TVA workers for 17 years before being elected International Secretary-Treasurer, discussed many topics regarding TVA.
IFPTE Requests House Vote Down Farm Bill that Makes Cuts to Food Nutrition, Increases Burden on States’ Budgets
Before the House of Representatives took a contentious vote on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, IFPTE urged lawmakers to reject the bill on the House floor and to continue working on the 5-year agriculture policy authorization bill so that it meets the needs of American workers and their families, communities that count on food assistance, and farmers.
TAKE ACTION, TELL CONGRESS
IFPTE Urges Congress to Block Trump Administration from Accessing Personal Medical Data of Federal Workers
IFPTE responded this week to efforts by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to unilaterally implement a rule forcing health insurers to disclose the individualized, personal medical information of current and former federal employees to the Trump Administration. In asking both Congressional appropriators and authorizers to come together in a bipartisan way to prevent the Administration from accessing this data, IFPTE reinforced to lawmakers that, “Medical records invoke core cannons of personal, social, psychological, cultural, and religious privacy that are absolutely sacred to all Americans.” Read IFPTE’s letter to key Capitol Hill lawmakers and join IFPTE’s member mobilization letter writing campaign here.
Application Deadline: May 15
SAVE THE DATE!!!
IFPTE 62nd Convention
Toronto, ON, Canada
July 19-22, 2027
IFPTE Local 400 