The history of May Day goes back to the late 1800’s in the UK and America, as workers in both countries organised for a day to protest against their long working hours, instead demanding an 8 hour work day. Ideas like the 8 hour day, 5 day work week and a school leaving age were all once considered radical for the working class to achieve. It has only been through continued organising and protest that we have won workers rights and live with work and life separation we have today. This means that we have gratitude to pay for the workers who came before us and also that new demands we make for a better future of work are achievable.

As well as protests now taking place on the 1st of May around the world there has been a history of political unrest taking place throughout the month of May over the past 100 years. In Paris 1968, May saw students protesting against capitalism and consumerism leading to over a month of civil unrest and barricades on the streets. On May 5th 1970 students across the US began a week of strikes by walking out of class to protest the Vietnam war following the shooting of 4 students at a protest rally in Kent State University.

Workers and students protests have been successful due to them bringing together large groups of people with a shared goal. Through work and school break rooms ideas are able to be shared quickly and to those we relate to, ideas that can then be actioned into goals and demands. Union busting is increasing especially in some of the largest corporations with efforts to stop the discussions that lead to successful changes in the workplace. May Day is an important reminder of the successful fights workers have made to change the world of work and the way we can shape the future of working conditions.