May Day 101.

May Day, also known as International Workers' Day, grew out of the global struggle for workers’ rights, sparked by the fight for an eight-hour workday in the late 19th century.

Its origins lie in the United States, where, in 1886, thousands marched nationwide for better conditions. In Chicago, a peaceful rally in Haymarket Square turned tragic when a bomb was thrown, leading to violence, a show trial and the unjust execution of eight unionists. The Haymarket Square Martyrs became powerful symbols of the fight for justice and the cost of demanding change.

In Aotearoa, May Day was first celebrated on 1 May 1900, when unionists and socialists gathered to express solidarity with the global workers' movement. Although Aotearoa officially marks Labour Day in October – celebrating early wins like Samuel Parnell’s campaign for the eight-hour day – May Day has remained an important expression of internationalism.

Across the 20th and 21st centuries, May Day in Aotearoa has been a platform for demanding better wages, safer workplaces, Māori rights, women’s rights, and social justice. It reflects the evolving face of the labour movement – increasingly diverse, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all working people.

For our union, May Day serves as a reminder of our proud tradition of collective activism, and the ongoing need to stand together for fairness, dignity, and democracy in our workplaces.