May 1 is International Workers Day

May 1, 2020

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May Day, the annual holiday recognizing the international working class, is celebrated today, May 1.

The holiday originated in the 1880s, born out of the historic fight for the eight-hour day, centered in Chicago.

May Day is celebrated in over 80 countries, usually with mass rallies and in many countries a paid day off from work (though it is not recognized in the United States as a federal holiday).

Though public gatherings for May Day are not occurring this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can still celebrate the holiday by honoring the picket lines of workers at Amazon, Target, Instacart, FedEx, and Whole Foods, who are striking today.

Workers are demanding “compensation for all unpaid time off used since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis in March; hazard pay or paid sick leave to be provided for the duration of the pandemic; protective equipment and all cleaning supplies to be provided at all times by the company; and a demand for full corporate transparency on the number of cases in facilities.”

APWU is encouraging members to avoid using or placing orders with these companies today.

“May Day is all about worldwide worker solidarity,” stressed President Mark Dimondstein. “Solidarity with these struggling frontline workers is in the best spirit of our May Day holiday!”

 

 

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