Dozens of unions were represented at a rally in Halifax on Labour Day Monday to promote fairness in the workplace.

“We're not just individual unions. We're truly a movement,” said Halifax Labour president Suzanne McNeil.

It's a movement that has had roots in Canada that trace back to the 1870s when printers with the Toronto Typographical Union went on strike.

In 1894, Labour Day was declared a national holiday.

“We're here on a holiday and it’s workers who got together and fought for holiday pay, who fought for the weekend, the eight-hour workday,” said Gabriel Enxuga of Solidarity Halifax.

Enxuga and fellow employees formed their own union when the coffee shop where they worked didn’t have one.

“Every worker has the right to form a union,” he said. “I think unions are one of the most useful ways for workers to protect their rights in the workplace.”

“Unions make everyone equal. Unions are about democracy. Unions are there to lift people up,” said Shawna Boudreau, second vice-president of the Nova Scotia Governemnet and General Employees Union.

“Unions matter. Unions make our life better.”

The Halifax Typographical Union was also represented. Its members have been embroiled in job action for months.

Though not on the picket line on Labour Day, Willy Palov and fellow striking Chronicle Herald workers still had their signs out. The newsroom has been on strike since January, battling with management over issues including wage cuts, layoffs and changes to the pension plan.

“We're halfway through the eighth month now,” said striking Chronicle Herald worker Willy Palov. “We always knew it would be acrimonious but we didn't think it would go this long, only because it’s so damaging to the business.”

In an email, the paper's chief operating officer tells CTV News, “Negotiating through the media wouldn't help reach a reasonable settlement. We are still waiting for the union to respond to our Aug. 18 offer and will not be making further media comments.”

This Labour Day, Canada's unions launched a website to showcase how unions are improving the lives of Canadians, called fairnessworks.ca

“It’s really about how Canada’s unions have always been working for the benefit of the working class, and good jobs and decent pensions, and all those things that we enjoy,’ said Suzanne McNeil.

Another rally will be held on Tuesday in support of Halifax municipal outdoor workers during their contract dispute with City Hall.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelly Linehan.