May Day: An International Celebration of Workers’ Rights and the Labor Movement
May Day, often called International Workers Day, celebrates workers around the world and offers an opportunity to honor those who have fought–and continue to fight–for labor rights. May 1, or the first Monday in May, is a public holiday in many countries, often observed with parades celebrating the working class or demonstrations for expanded workplace rights.
The labor movement has been a driving force behind many of the benefits we often take for granted today. Labor activists, often risking their own safety and well-being, advocated for shorter workdays, safer working conditions, and fair wages. The labor movement’s push for an eight-hour workday, a minimum wage, and workplace safety standards laid the foundation for the work-life balance we aim to achieve today.
Labor Unrest and a Holiday to Honor Workers
In the late 1800s, it was common for most industrial workers to work 12-hour days, seven days a week. Working conditions were often dangerous and dirty, and deadly accidents were common. In many countries, children as young as five or six worked in mines, mills, and factories. Trade unions emerged as a way for workers to join together and protest the unsafe conditions, long hours, and low pay. The fight to establish an eight-hour workday emerged as a top priority, and activists held demonstrations and called work stoppages to influence mine owners, industrialists, and others in power.
Workers around the world were inspired by Australian stonemasons, who called a strike in 1856 and won the right to an eight-hour day. Hoping for similar success, trade unionists in Chicago called for a general strike and demonstration in May 1886. Police intervened to disperse the crowd, a bomb was thrown, and officers opened fire on the crowd. Hundreds of people were injured and 11 were killed in what became known as the Haymarket affair. The event catalyzed the international fight for an eight-hour day.
On May 1, 1890, trade unionists and supporters demonstrated in Europe, the United States, and South America to commemorate the anniversary of the Haymarket affair and demand reform. In the years that followed, May Day became a day to honor workers throughout most of the world. Exceptions include Canada and the United States, which celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September, and New Zealand, where the observance falls on the fourth Monday in October.
Victories of the Global Labor Movement
Today, May Day celebrates the hard-won victories of labor unions worldwide and is a focal point for advocating further progress. France’s labor standards, for example, have been shaped by organized labor. In 2000, activists successfully pushed for the 35-hour workweek—a landmark reform aimed at improving work-life balance. France’s unions also successfully secured mandatory paid leave, with employees receiving a minimum of five weeks of vacation each year.
In the United Kingdom, the labor movement has achieved groundbreaking reforms like the eight-hour workday and the 40-hour workweek. Additionally, the UK’s labor movement won universal health insurance through the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948, a monumental achievement that provided healthcare access to all workers and became a model for other countries. The UK also enacted comprehensive health and safety regulations to protect workers, including the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, which placed responsibility on employers to safeguard their employees’ well-being.
In the United States, labor activism brought about the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which set a national minimum wage, standardized the workweek, and abolished child labor. In Brazil, labor reforms have granted rights such as paid maternity leave and regulated working hours, while South Africa’s labor laws protect employees from unfair dismissal and discrimination. These victories highlight the labor movement’s power to shape not just national policies but global standards for workers’ rights.
Contemporary Labor Movements and the Challenges Workers Face Today
Today’s labor movement reflects the complexities of the modern workplace and the rapid evolution of technology. One pressing issue is the gig economy, where many workers operate without traditional protections like health benefits, paid leave, or job security. Gig workers, who are often classified as independent contractors, lack the ability to unionize under many legal frameworks, which leaves them vulnerable to inconsistent wages and minimal bargaining power. In California, recent legislation aimed at reclassifying gig workers as employees has sparked intense debate, highlighting a need for labor laws that protect the rights of this growing workforce.
Technology and automation also present challenges for the modern labor movement. With the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated systems in everything from manufacturing to administrative work, workers fear the erosion of job security. While these technologies can increase efficiency, they often lead to layoffs or force workers into roles that may require entirely new skill sets. Unions and labor advocates are now advocating for job protections that include provisions for workers whose roles may be replaced or redefined due to AI advancements. The German labor model, where unions collaborate with employers to provide continuous education and skills training, offers a compelling example of proactive approaches to this challenge.
The Modern Labor Movement and its Fight for Equality and Inclusion
In their commitments and vision, trade unionists have linked the priorities and interests of the labor movement with demands for racial and gender equality. In fact, unions often served as a way for underrepresented groups to advocate for social change. Contemporary labor movements recognize that discrimination in the workplace remains a significant barrier for many employees and work to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. For example, the Fight for $15 movement in the U.S., which advocates for a higher minimum wage, has highlighted wage disparities that affect women and people of color disproportionately. Additionally, organizations like Pride at Work and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement are pushing for inclusive practices that address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ and Latine workers.
As you commemorate International Workers Day in your workplace, you might consider ways to learn about the history of the labor movement, honor the sacrifice and passion of past activists, and learn about ongoing struggles for worker protections. If your company has an internal newsletter, outline the history of May Day, highlight your organization’s efforts to foster an inclusive work environment, and mention any resource groups supporting workers’ rights. Encourage employees to share personal or family anecdotes related to labor activism. You might also consider engaging with groups that advocate for workers’ rights, like the International Labour Organization or the Global Labour Institute.
As labor movements worldwide continue to confront evolving challenges, May Day serves as a reminder of both the victories achieved and the ongoing need for collective action to secure fair, inclusive, and sustainable workplaces for all.
