International holiday to celebrate workers has Chicago origin

Chicago –Labor leaders and workers’ rights advocates recognized the struggles and accomplishments of working men and women on May Day, a holiday celebrated around the world by millions as International Workers’ Day.

Standing in front of the Haymarket Memorial statue in Chicago’s west loop, the leaders called on fairness and justice in the workplace, including the right to organize and the passage of the federal Employee Free Choice Act, access to health care, fair trade agreements and the right to earn a living wage.

 “Today we recognize the millions of hard working men and women who are responsible for making our country the great place it is,” said Jorge Ramirez, Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Labor.  “Yet for too many working people, they are denied the right to have a voice at work.  Organized labor stands with those people to fight for their rights and for justice.” 

May Day comes at a time when the middle class is facing increased economic pressures and unions struggle with a playing field that has been tipped in favor of corporate interests.

“Haymarket symbolizes the birth of the modern labor movement that is responsible for the evolution and growth of the American middle class,” said James Thindwa, Executive Director of Chicago Jobs with Justice.  “Those who seek to marginalize labor unions are in fact waging war against the idea of a middle class itself.”

Located on DesPlaines Avenue between Lake and Randolph Streets, the Haymarket Memorial marks the location where workers gathered in 1886 to demand an eight-hour day, which is now the standard for most American workers.

“We come to Haymarket every year to remember this historic struggle for workers’ social and economic justice that began in 1886,” said Larry Spivack, President of the Illinois Labor History Society.  “This is a struggle of international labor solidarity.  Since this is Labor Day around the world, we intend to celebrate it here as well.”

A plaque dedicated by the Chicago Federation of Labor honoring Chicago’s working men and women and mounted on the Haymarket statue as part of an annual tradition was unveiled at the morning event.  The ceremony was sponsored by the Chicago Federation of Labor and the Illinois Labor History Society.

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