Anything but "Labor Day"

September 2nd, 2007 at 06:44pm Will Kesler 366

While the rest of the world celebrates the labor that sustains societies and demands reform on May 1st, International Worker’s Day, we stand alone this first Monday in September. Here’s why.

The roots of today’s holiday go back to May 1, 1884, when the Federation of Organized Labor passed a resolution declaring that eight hours would constitute a full and legal workday. Back then workers were routinely forced to toil far longer, slaving to barely feed and house themselves and their families. No surprise that the resolution gained widespread support with the working class.

There is also no surprise that business and government leaders were acutely aware that this newfound solidarity and class-consciousness threatened their profitable stranglehold over the lives of workers. It all came down during the first May Day celebrations, 1886. All over America laborers participated in peaceful strikes and demonstrations.

The largest demonstrations occurred in Chicago. By May 3, the number of workers on strike in the Windy City had soared to 65,000. Decisive action was deemed necessary to maintain the status quo. This resulted in the infamous Haymarket Square Massacre. Police ordered a worker’s rally to disperse, a bomb was thrown and in retaliation they opened fire. Several policemen and over a dozen workers suddenly became martyrs in the struggle for social justice. Many others were wounded.

Hysteria swept the city. Hundreds were arrested. The incident was used as an excuse to persecute the labor movement and entire political left. Picketing strikers were arrested while police routinely beat labor supporters. In a public statement the Attorney for Cook County announced, “Make the raids first and look up the law afterwards.”

The state arrested eight anarchists. All but one were sentenced to death despite the fact that only three had been present at the rally and that there was no evidence that any of the men had knowledge of the bomb or that they had incited or participated in the violence.

In spite of international outcries, four were executed in 1887. Hundreds of thousands lined their funeral procession. Later, in 1893, the Governor of Illinois granted pardons to the remaining three. He conceded that the trial had been unfair and that all were innocent of any crime.
After Haymarket, workers all over the world celebrated May 1st as their day for rallies, strikes and other actions promoting the cause of labor. Unfortunately for America, a conservative element within organized labor, combined with a crushing government repression of left politics, allowed the significance of the day to become lost in the United States.                                                                                

Acting swiftly in 1894, President Cleveland proclaimed the first Monday in September as “Labor Day.” This intentionally obscured the genuine day that holds profound political and social significance. Adding further insult, President Eisenhower proclaimed May 1st as “Law Day” in 1958 (I wonder if the executed men would approve).

The bottom line is that today has nothing to do with labor. On the contrary, those who fought and died in the long struggle for worker rights are dishonored and disrespected this very day. Perhaps we should rename today “The day our government obscured history so that citizens would be less aware that unified action can alter the balance of power” or “Let’s have a party because summer is over.” Anything but “Labor Day.”

Entry Filed under: Politics, Colorado, Business, Crested Butte, United Post