It was 1886 in Chicago when an event marked the beginning of the fight for the eight-hour working day. On this very day — May 1st — workers took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with working conditions. But instead of change, they ended up in bloody clashes with the police. Is this a paradox?
Haymarket, Chicago, 1886
The event that took place on May 1st at Haymarket Square in Chicago in 1886 — when an unknown person threw a bomb and took the lives of seven police officers while many others were injured — would probably be characterised today as a crime or even a terrorist act. Instead, it became a labour holiday.
Should we ask ourselves what is right? When should we respect institutions, and when should we not? It turns out that what is a crime to some is a feat to others. Were those police officers who lost their lives also workers?
May 1st in former Yugoslavia — celebration instead of strike
Moving on through time and closer to our region, we will realise that in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) on May 1st people did not strike but celebrated.
It was not just a day of rest and celebration, but also a symbol of unity. During that period:
- Protests were rare
- When they were organised, they were quickly suppressed
- The authorities believed that mass protest would endanger social peace and political stability
- Trade unions were under the control of the authorities
- Workers’ rights were aligned with political interests
And again there is a paradox — May 1st, knowing about the events in Chicago, was born out of protest and was a symbol of resistance. In SFRY, instead of rebellion, it was celebrated as a labour holiday in the spirit of unity and solidarity.
Industrial growth or conditioned happiness?
I am not really a witness of that time, but they say people worked hard — and that the results were visible:
- The industrial sector was blooming
- The economy was growing
- Living standards were improving
Or maybe not? In any case, the fact is that infrastructure was almost completely destroyed after World War II — so it is evident that great effort and hard work were required to rebuild everything that was destroyed.
Again, there is room for different interpretations: on the one hand, workers did not have the freedom to protest and had their hands full of work; on the other, they were happy and celebrated work and ambitious plans.
Today’s May 1st — protests and demands
With the advent of multi-party systems and freedom of expression, trade unions became more independent, and workers began to organise and express their dissatisfaction.
Today’s May 1st in the countries of the former Yugoslavia is often marked by:
- Protests
- Strikes
- Demands for better working conditions
Were workers happier or more afraid before? Are employees now more dissatisfied and overburdened?
Instead of a conclusion
That is certainly a matter of personal view.
Happy May 1st to all of us — Labour Day! Because work is one of the ways to express ourselves, make others happier, and feel useful for ourselves, our family, and society.
“Let us work, let us build and earn.”
