From Len Cooper Secretary of the May Day Committee (Victoria)
Every year May Day supports the struggles of the unions for better wages and conditions, and their struggle for basic union rights. Every year May Day publicises and expresses its solidarity with those struggles.
This has been so since the beginning of the annual May Day celebration in 1890, which grew out of the struggle for the 40- hour working week at that time. This year is May Days 133rd year in Melbourne.
Currently, there are about 20 unions, and about 21 community organisations that support May Day at present, one way or another each year.
The Regional Trades and Labour Councils each year conduct local activities in support of May Day or support the central activity.
May Day supports the struggles of our First Nation Peoples and their vital struggles for land rights, sovereignty, proper funding and treatment and recognition in the constitution.
Each year May Day recognises and gives its solidarity to the various struggles of workers taking place in Australia and elsewhere in the world, and for a proper living wage for the working class in general.
Each year we demand the proper funding of health, education and other services in opposition to so called austerity.
Every year we express our opposition to wars of aggression, and demand peace with Justice. We support the struggles for freedom and independence across the globe.
Every year, unions and other community organisations come together, to unite, to protest, to publicise our struggles and to strengthen our efforts.
The May Day events this year
A memorial to workers who won the 8- hour day, and other gains since. This will take place at the 8- hour memorial at 5pm, on Thursday 4th of May right opposite the Victorian Trades Hall.
An international solidarity event will take place beginning at 6pm on Thursday 4th of May, in the Trades Hall basement. You will hear speakers on important struggles in various parts of the world. Come and give your solidarity.
The May Day March and Rally will take place on Sunday May 7th. Assemble at 1 pm outside the Trades Hall. Join the trade union choir led singing, listen to important speeches and leave at 2pm to march around the city and then return to the Trades Hall for more singing and important speeches.
Prior to the march starting, there will also be community stalls, a breakfast BBQ, and other activities starting from about 10 am.