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International Workers’ Day 2026

May 1

May 1st, Worker's Day

The First “May Day”

In the late nineteenth century, the working class was in constant struggle to gain the 8-hour work day. Working conditions were severe and it was quite common to work 10 to 16 hour days in unsafe conditions. Death and injury were commonplace at many work places and inspired such books as Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle and Jack London’s The Iron Heel. As early as the 1860’s, working people agitated to shorten the workday without a cut in pay, but it wasn’t until the late 1880’s that organized labor was able to garner enough strength to declare the 8-hour workday. This proclamation was without consent of employers, yet demanded by many of the working class.

At its national convention in Chicago, held in 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions (which later became the American Federation of Labor), proclaimed that “eight hours shall constitute a legal day’s labor from and after May 1, 1886.” The following year, the FOTLU, backed by many Knights of Labor locals, reiterated their proclamation stating that it would be supported by strikes and demonstrations. On May 1, 1886, more than 300,000 workers in 13,000 businesses across the United States walked off their jobs in the first May Day celebration in history.

The sacrifices of so many people can not be forgotten or we’ll end up fighting for those same gains all over again. This is why we celebrate May Day.

From: https://archive.iww.org/history/library/misc/origins_of_mayday/

Canadian Unions: CUPE

International Workers’ Day is an opportunity to celebrate the union movement’s victories and recognize the importance of continuing our global fight for labour rights, equity and economic justice.

For more than a century International Workers’ Day has acknowledged and celebrated the achievements of the trade union movement. The list is long and includes the establishment of employment standards, occupational health and safety legislation, and old age security.

May Day: Celebrating the Trade Union Movement

Each year,  workers across the globe celebrate May 1st, International Workers’ Day (May Day) as their Labour Day.

For more than a century International Workers’ Day has acknowledged and celebrated the achievements of the trade union movement. The list is long and includes the establishment of employment standards, occupational health and safety legislation, and old age security.

Commemorating the achievements of working people is important, but International Workers’ Day is also a reminder to continue the effort —  and even more so, as factors such as globalization can only be countered by stronger solidarity.

So on May 1, International Workers’ Day we were reminded – as 21st century workers – to stand with each other around the globe in common purpose and solidarity, with people of different backgrounds and nationalities who share the same wish for workers’ empowerment.

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