Okay so monday is some calendar holiday, and every tv and radio station is calling this a “long weekend.” But really what the hell is it? Every retail business in town is open. The only people kicking back tomorrow are gov’t agencies and a few small shops here and there! So who gets the holiday? Not the people busting their balls working day in and day out. The damn lazy gov’t does though don’t they? This isn’t the only day of the year labelled as a “holiday” that everybody stays open and grinds their knuckles to the bone to pay for the gov’t paid day off. What the hell where’s the damn fairness in that??? I’m sick of calendar holidays if they mean nothing to almost anybody! I’m tired, I’m working my balls off for tax money that’s supposed to pave my roads and keep my medicare going and all that jazz… but all I’m getting is tired and nothing. This sucks
—Sean
This article appears in May 14-20, 2009.
We’ve all been there, just keep plugging through. I’d have to say that I used to work most long weekends and even Xmas every year, but now I’m in a job that allows me to have the stat holidays off. If you’re a full-time worker, take solace in the fact that you’re getting paid extra for the day, and if you’re part-time, well, that’s the part time worker’s lament.
Sounds like its time for Tyler to start up Project Mayhem.
medicare? You’re an American working in Canada? Yeah, you can work the holiday, we don’t mind one bit.
It’s the week of May 2-4!! Only place I have been that it was actually a big holiday is newfoundland though. I don’t even think I have heard anyone outside of newfoundland refer to it as that.
You gotta get out of the province more often Angel. It’s a national holiday. “May 2-4” is quite popular along beaches, bars and campgrounds all over this country.
*sigh* I realize it’s a national holiday Kay, hence why today is a holiday. I have probably been out of the province and seen more of the world then you have, so please don’t assume. I was just saying that you don’t hear a lot of excited planning and talk of it here, or anywhere else in Canada that I have been.
And considering the tradition of camping that tends to follow this week(in newfoundland anyway), it would make sense that there is more talk of it on campgrounds and beaches.
Try working today @ scotia square… it and nearly every place around it is closed.
Fun. can’t even get a fucking cup of coffee without having to walk 10 mins.
Quit yer bitching, Sean
Angel, I find it interesting you tell me not to presume after saying, “I have probably been out of the province and seen more of the world [than] you “. Lady, I have roots in Alberta yet I know it as May 2-4 just like you do. And so do my buddies in BC, SK and ON. I’ve never stepped foot on “the rock” so how do you figure that, Angel? Go ahead, give your head a shake.
Ah, that’s right kay, you’ve been everywhere, seen everything. The two-four weekend is a pretty big deal in NFLD, and over the weekend many people go camping, it’s like a mass exodus. It’s pretty big in cottage country out in Ontario too… In all honesty though, Newfies go apeshit for the weekend more than anyone else.
I think it’s primarily retail that has to work today (along with healthcare/cops, etc…who have to work every day regardless)…Most people I know have the day off. *shrug*
personally, I think I’ve taken canadian holidays on the actual holiday about twice in the past 4 years.
Canada Day last year, and Easter Monday just passed.
it sucks working holidays, but it feels great when I get to take them while EVERYONE else is working a normal day. Barely any lineups, no traffic…. everything’s open…..
We IT people are working too…thank goodness that little shop by the side doors of Scotia Square is open, I would have been drink-less today had it not been!
Working in the CIBC building listening to all the happy people out and about down below.
Geese, I wonder what their doing in Ottawa if the party is on the rock? *insert dramatic eye roll here*
pardon my typo… I wonder what THEY’RE doing in Ottawa?
Fuck you Mr. Workaholic, I prefer to take advantage of this pseudo-holiday and get my feet scrubbed whilst sipping on a chocolate shake.
Don’t bitch about the retailers being open. They lobbied and we voted the government in that allowed Sunday shopping and with that, stores can open every day with the exception of Rememberance Day.
Forgive me for my assumption Kay, I just figured it would be a little harder to have a narrow mind if you had been exposed to the world and other cultures and traditions. My bad.
I work at a coffee shop that was opened today. (I didn’t work…I was camping and drinking all weekend..lol) but we got NO holiday pay. There’s only 5 a year we get paid for, my husband who works for a grocery chain..gets the holiday pay..plus had to work today…..
what is a “paid holiday” for some..is not for all….
Angel. Exactly.
Hey now! Not all people in the government are lazy!
Your just mad you didn’t get to enjoy that long weekend! boo frikken hoo…
Ya, psssh, kinda pisses me off when people make life/employment choices, then bitch about them. If you want all holidays off, then find a job that allows for that… but for most, job satisfaction trumps those few days off.
Ahhhh… 10 stat holidays and loving it!
Xmas day, boxing day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Natal Day, Labour Day and Rememberence Day. And no, I don’t work for the government or a small company. Mind you, I’m on salary, so I don’t get anything extra, but it sure is nice having 10 holidays throughout the year. Oh yeah, I’m only required to work a half a day in between Xmas and New Years too. So there’s another four and a half paid days off there. Oh yeah. 🙂
I made the choice to work a job that requires me to work most holidays, including yesterday. This was my choice, I do not bitch about it. I spent many a year in retail with crappy holiday pay policies. You pay your dues, then find better when you are able.
Then why not get a job that doesn’t require you to work the calendar holidays?
FYI you get paid MORE money to work those days too.
I used to work retail, and I hated having to work those days, but the bigger paycheque did seem to make it better for me!