Ireland’s May Day celebration is being transformed into an extended festival for workers and their families, Metro Éireann has learned.
This year, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu), Dublin Council of Trade Unions and the Larkin Hedge School have come together to devise a lively Dublin programme as part of the festival.
According to Ictu, May Day began in the late 19th century in the US as International Workers’ Day or Labour Day, and celebrates social and economic achievements of the Labour movement.
In 1884, when the American trade union movement’s demand for an eight-hour working day was not met, a general strike was called – sparking bloody unrest between employers and labour.
The issue exploded in 1889 when trade unions called for an international day of strikes on 1 May of the following year to drive home their demand for the eight-hour workday.
In Ireland, May Day events were organised as part of the Irish general strike of 1918 against conscription to the British army.
Ictu says said one of the biggest May Day rallies took place in Dublin in 1979. Over 50,000 people marched at the event, which was linked to the tax marches of 1979 and 1980.
In 1994, following demands from the Dublin Council of Trade Unions, the first Monday in May was declared a public holiday to commemorate the labour movement.
According to Ictu, this year’s May Day is of particular significance for all workers, irrespective of their nationality or where they live, as the the global economic crisis affecting workers in every economy through mass unemployment, deteriorating living standards and continued cuts in education and health services.
“There is a real danger that workers in the developed world will be faced with the poverty known to previous generations,” says Ictu. “Organised labour must organise to defend our achievements. Workers’ and trade union power stems from increased numbers, more efficient organisation and clear decisive policies.
“This year, hands across the world, united internationally, we have a greater chance to build a future that recognises the dignity and worth of working people rather than the greed of exploiters.”
Ictu says it is supporting a number of events in Ireland to highlight the plight of workers in Ireland. Some of these include a talk and discussion on resolving the EU debt crisis on 3 May, and a public meeting on the EU ‘competitiveness pact’ on 4 May.
The Larkin Hedge School festival of music, song, dance, poetry and literature will take place in Dublin from 5–7 May to celebrate the rich diversity of trade union culture – and doubles as a celebration of Dublin’s selection as Unesco City of Literature. Poet and former Minister for Arts Michael D Higgins will open the festival at The Teachers’ Club on Parnell Square on 6 May.
On 7 May in Liberty Hall, Irish journalist and editor Nora Geraghty and a cast including fellow members Mary Maher and Máire Nic Fhinn take part in a musical celebration titled May Days: A journey through the rich traditions.
The highlight of this year’s events is the May Day public demonstration under the banner ‘Resist Austerity, There is a Better, Fairer Way!’ The Dublin Council of Trade Unions, which is organising the rally, asks workers to assemble in Parnell Square at 11.30am on 1 May.
