We are all familiar with Labor Day, the first Monday in September. But in reality, Labor Day has become a day that many wage earners have to work; including myself, for the bosses benefit. But does this day in September have any real significance to the struggles of working men and women, and the growth of organized labor in our world? The answer is no. The day that we workers should celebrate is May 1; known as “May Day” throughout the world.
In 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions passed a resolution that eight hours would constitute a legal day’s work from and after May 1, 1886. The group called for a general strike on May 1, 1886. Thus began an organized movement of workers to abolish the standard of forcing workers to work twelve to fourteen hours a day, and sometimes seven days a week.
The general strike began, but did not end on May 1. It continued to grow, with the numbers in Chicago swelling to more than 100,000. The strike remained peaceful until May 3, when the Chicago Police and members of the Illinois State Militia fired into a crowd of strikers at the McCormick Reaper Works Factory, killing four and wounding many more. The strikers made plans to hold a mass rally the next day to protest the brutality of the police. The meeting was held in the Haymarket Square.
The day was filled with fiery speeches to rally the supporters to stay vigilant in their demands. By the time the last speaker of the day was on the stage, only a few hundred supporters remained. It was at this time that more than 180 police marched into the square and ordered the strikers to leave the square. As the last of the speakers came down from the stage, the Haymarket Square massacre began when a bomb was thrown at the police, killing one and injuring seventy. Police fired into the crowd, killing one and injuring many others.
A “kangaroo court” was assembled and found eight of the strikers guilty of murder and sentenced them to death by hanging, even though no evidence existed to show these men murdered anyone.
On a monument that commemorates the massacre are inscribed these words:
“THE DAY WILL COME WHEN OUR SILENCE WILL BE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE VOICES YOU ARE THROTTLING TODAY”
How true this is as we see our rights as organized workers under attack as never before. Our rights of collective bargaining are at risk of being lost forever. It is time brothers and sisters to make a stand.
Please plan to join me and several of your fellow brothers and sisters at a May Day rally, this coming Sunday; May 1, 2011 at Powderhorn Park in South Minneapolis at 12:30 pm. Let us show everyone that the lives of our fellow workers who have fought, bled, and died for the rights we enjoy today were not in vain! That the actions of a few will not be allowed to ruin the privileges we are granted with! That we are proud to be union members and we will not let our voices be silenced! Let us celebrate the true Labor Day like never before!
Until May 1 brothers and sisters remember;
Solidarity Today! Solidarity Tomorrow! And Solidarity Always!
In ALL Ways!
In Solidarity;
Mark Freeman
Methodist Hospital
