McMaster University School of Labour Studies

09/23/2026

The School of Labour Studies is pleased to invite you to our Fall 2026 Speaker Series, featuring three conversations on labour, politics, and collective power.

We’ll kick off the series on Wednesday, October 7 with Judy Darcy, former National President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, for a talk about her new book, Leading from the Heart. In this rich and inspiring memoir, Judy Darcy recounts the remarkable turns that brought her from library worker to president of Canada’s largest labour union, and from there to groundbreaking legislator focused on many of our most pressing issues, including health care, the rights of immigrant workers and the toxic-drug crisis.

Judy Darcy: Leading from the Heart
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Workers Arts & Heritage Centre, Main Gallery
51 Stuart St., Hamilton

Co-sponsors:
Hamilton & District Labour Council
CUPE 7800 (Hamilton Health Sciences)
CUPE Local 932 (Hamilton Public LIibrary workers) https://www.facebook.com/Cupe932
CUPE 3906 (McMaster TAs and Sessional Faculty) https://www.facebook.com/cupe3906/

Books will be sold by the fantastic Epic Books.

To register for this free event, scan the QR code on your phone or go to this link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=B2M3RCm0rUKMJSjNSW9HcqWypxtLODBGkch-BHG_if5UNk9WR0FWTDVER1owOFA0NFhXMFk0N1NRRS4u&route=shorturl

09/23/2026

Our very excellent labour studies student Fatima Ali is doing her placement at the Workers Arts & Heritage Centre this fall -- can't wait to see what you get up to together!

✨ Help WAHC welcome Fatima Ali! ✨

Fatima is our Fall 2026 McMaster School of Labour Studies placement student! She is actually no stranger to WAHC—since last year, Fatima has been one of our volunteers. Starting this week until November, she will conduct metadata research on our collection of t-shirts from labour and social movements. Fatima will also help us grow and organize our small public “landing library” of books about labour and work on our second floor.

Here are a few words from Fatima about why she chose WAHC:

“I ranked WAHC as (the first-choice for my) placement because of my prior experience volunteering here. It has been an enlightening and refreshing experience to be part of the labour arts community, where years of enriching labour history and events meet the arts, both performing and visual, all in the city of labour—Hamilton!”

McMaster University School of Labour Studies

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09/22/2026

Labour Studies PhD Candidate Gerard DiTrolio weighs in on the Carney government’s proposed amendments to the Canada Labour Code and puts them in the long-term erosion of a meaningful right to strike in Canada — in The Conversation

09/22/2026

Mac Labour’s Stephanie Ross talked to the Toronto Star about the federal government’s revisions to the Canada Labour Code and the threat they pose to workers’ right to strike and ability to influence negotiations

09/21/2026

Jobs for Labour Studies Grads: Toronto & York Region Labour Council, Executive Assistant, Application deadline September 25, 2026

The Toronto & York Region Labour Council is hiring a temporary full-time Executive Assistant to cover a one-year leave of absence.

09/21/2026

Union Scholarship alert! Deadline September 30, 2026

UFCW Canada is proud to offer the BDM scholarship named in honour of Canadian UFCW leaders William Beggs, Fred Dowling, and Romeo Mathieu

There are 18 awards up for grabs each worth $1000 for those pursuing full-time studies at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution.

ELIGIBILITY:
The scholarship is open to UFCW members in good standing as well as their spouses and dependants.

HOW TO APPLY:
For more information, visit the UFCW Canada website to complete their online application. You can find the link here:

https://www.ufcw.ca/index.php?option=com_scholarship&view=sform&id=2&Itemid=138&lang=en

📅 Application Deadline: September 30th, 2026.

09/19/2026

It’s union scholarship season! If you or your kids are in post-secondary education and a member of a union, you may be eligible for a union scholarship. First up: International Union of Operating Engineers!

Got a kid in a Canadian post-secondary institution, leading to a diploma or degree? The Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada Student Award Program may be able to help!

For more information, see poster, visit: pipeline.ca or email: [email protected]

Applications open until Oct. 19 👊

09/18/2026

SAVE THE DATES! We are thrilled to announce our Fall 2026 lineup for this year' speaker series. This season is all about books, featuring a memoir from one of Canada's pioneering labour leaders, an edited collection on confronting right-wing politics, and an inspirational guide for young workers (and anyone!) who want to know how unions can change their lives.

09/07/2026

Happy Labour Day from the School of Labour Studies and the Labour Studies Students Association at McMaster! Some scenes from today’s Labour Day march in Hamilton

09/02/2026

Join Labour Studies students and faculty at this year's Labour Day parade in Hamilton! Details below 👇👇👇

On Labour Day we will be participating in the parade and picnic at Bayfront Park!

The parade begins at 10:30 starting from Bay Street North and Stuart Street, and the picnic starts right after at 11:30 at Bayfront Park. You'll find us at the back of the parade, keep an eye out for our flag! If you are driving make sure to arrive early to find parking as it fills up quickly.

More information can be found on the HDLC or the City's website.

Hope to see you there! ⚙️