October 22, 1945 – March 4, 2025

With deep sorrow, we note the passing on March 4, 2025 of long-time labour and cultural activist, Derek Black. Derek was born in Brandon, Manitoba and was a machinist at Canadian National Railways from 1964 to 2000. He spent many of those years at the Symington Yard Diesel Shop and served several terms as President of the International Association of Machinists local in Symington.

Derek also spent several years as President of the Winnipeg Folk Festival and also of Home Routes, a home concert network. Derek was also a founding member of MayWorks Festival of the Arts, an annual festival held during the month of May to celebrate working class culture. He was vice-president of MayWorks for over a decade and was also the de facto artistic director for much of that time, as well.

Derek was also active in anti-poverty and social justice movements. His dedication and activism will be missed. United in Action  sends its sincerest condolences to Derek’s family and friends.

Plans for MayWorks 2025: Celebrating Labour and the Arts are underway.  This yearly festival honours and promotes cultural expressions produced by artists depicting working class life and aspirations as well as by workers interpreting their own lives, work and struggles to build a better world. 

The Festival takes place in and around May.  Artists, performers, writers, dancers, filmmakers, actors, comedians or others who have an exhibit, a performance, a project or an event that will take place in that time frame, please submit a description of your event to info@mayworks.org by March 15, 2025.  MayWorks will promote your organization and event in our online and print calendar.

MayWorks is a non-profit organization established in 1997, inspired by events surrounding the 75^th anniversary of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike. 

Each year in Canada, we remember workers we lost to workplace injuries and illnesses with a National Day of Mourning.  Canada was the first country to commemorate this day, but it is now observed in over 80 countries around the world.

Date: Friday, April 26

Time: 11:00 am

Location: Union Centre (Broadway at Smith Street) travelling down Broadway to Workers Memorial at Memorial Park

Rally and March

Date: Wednesday, May 1

Time: 5:30

Location: City Hall – 510 Main St.

Celebrate International Workers’ Day.

Workers Stand With Palestine.