A Holiday for the "Working Man"

The Americans don't only spell Labour Day (Labor Day) differently, they also celebrate it differently.

In most of the world, Labour Day is the public holiday synonymous with celebrating the economic and social achievements of workers, but this past weekend saw the streets of New York filled with tourists, rather than massive street rallies by workers, labour movements and trade unions. There were no festive street parades for the workers and their families, nor were there any political speeches espousing solidarity between workers of all nationalities.

Instead, celebrated on the first Monday in September, Labour Day marks the end of summer with picnics and barbecues. It is often viewed as the last weekend for parties and the last chance for summer travel. In the sports world, it marks the beginning of the college football season and in the fashion world, it is the last chance to wear the colour white, especially white shoes and pants. It is a day of rest, spent with family and friends.

In other countries, Labour Day is usually celebrated on May 1st and is known as May Day or International Workers' Day. It is significant as an international celebration of working class culture and politics.  

This is especially true in Communist countries like China where Workers' Day is a week-long celebration, which includes mile-long military parades. In Cuba, it looks like carnival season in the streets of Havana with the outpour of people commemorating the rights of workers. Cuban flags are flying, drums are beating and music permeates the air as thousands gather at the Plaza of the Revolution to listen to the President give his annual May Day speech.

The history of Workers' Day is steeped in the writings of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels and in the establishment of the Eight-Hour Day Movement, which calls for eight hours of work, eight hours of recreation and eight hours of rest. 

But even in non-Communist countries, Workers' Day is a remembrance of the history and traditions of the working class.

This is evident in France where the "fete du travail" is a sacrosanct part of the working culture. It often sets the stage for major union activities and propagation of socialist policies. On this day, the working class displays its strength and unity with demonstrations and strikes. Others use the day to campaign for human rights in general or highlight current social issues such as racism.

Similarly, in Italy, the working class and labour unions display their camaraderie with the annual organisation of a free music concert in Rome called the Concerto Del Primo Maggio (1st May's concert.) What began in the early 90's as a celebration of the workers' achievements for improved socio-economic conditions, has seen the Piazza's of Rome swell with hundreds of thousands of people, calling for the rights of workers, whilst grooving along to popular musicians and famous performers like Bono of the rock group U2.

In a country like South Africa, where the struggle of the "worker" was tied to the struggle for freedom against Apartheid and oppression, Workers' Day is a big day on our political calendar. We take to the streets to mark the achievements of the workers, clearly espoused in the words of Nelson Mandela who said, "no bread without freedom; no freedom without bread." We also hold peaceful protests against any unfair labour practices or standards. As South Africans, it is an important part of our psyche to acknowledge and appreciate the struggle of our workers and the sacrifices they have made so that we can live in freedom today. 

So why does the American version of Labour Day disassociate itself from labour activism? 

Well, an obvious reason is because historically Labour Day is associated with socialism, and we all know America's stance on that. (Just think of Obama and the opposition he is currently facing, even from his own party, over creating national health coverage.)

The American version becomes harder to explain in light of the fact that it all began right here in the USA. International Worker's Day is often seen as a commemoration of the Haymarket Massacre, which took place in Chicago in 1886, when police killed demonstrators on a general strike calling for an eight hour working day. In addition, the international celebration of Labour Day, which often traces its origin to the Eight-Hour Day Movement, saw some of the earliest and most significant demonstrations of the Movement in almost every State and city, from Detroit to Baltimore, from New Jersey to Texas and beyond.

Still, this Labour Day, living in America, I couldn't help but wonder if the American version doesn't have some advantages. I found myself luxuriating in the end of summer on my terrace--dressed in white, with friends, meat sizzling on the grill, talking football.

Not a bad way to spend a day off.