Who are we celebrating?
The history of Labour Day, women's labour movements and what we're still fighting for
Labour Day has long been the unofficial sign off for summer. Celebrations for what we now jovially refer to as September Long, often involve a beach weekend, BBQ, patio drinks and soaking up every last bit of summer before kids and university students head back to school the following week. For the rest of us, it’s a break in the cycle–an added day to recover, either from burnout or partying or maybe both.
Our modern celebrations aren’t overly far from the originating ones. However, workers in the 1800s who rallied for labour rights were not likely to spend summer weekends at the lake. Instead, they were organizing themselves into what would eventually become unions, fighting for shorter work days when they were burnt out from 12-hour days, six days a week. (Feel familiar?).
The nine-hour work day initiative started with the printers in Hamilton, Ontario, then made its way to Toronto. The first strike was in spring of 1872. Workers–who were all men–just wanted a shorter week and not have to work 12-hour days every day.
Ultimately, they got what they wanted. Their demands led to the 54-hour work week. Labour Day is the result of their hard work. Subsequent hard work that would earn them the 8-hour work day–a way to celebrate what the Toronto printers did for workers across North America.
The momentous change in work schedules that came from this movement in the 1800s, is certainly worth celebrating. And there are, of course, other aspects of the labour industry that have seen great amendments over time, but as we lay on beaches the first Monday of every September, foregoing our regular commute through the city to over-lit, over-air-conditioned office buildings, it seems we’ve forgotten that some of us are still out here fighting for the respect that was granted to male workers in 1872.
Let us in
Women have been fighting for their rights in the workplace since before they were ever let in–it was the only way they got through the door in the first place (besides a desperate need for bodies in factories during the wars).
In the beginning, women wanted a chance, equal opportunity–to be seen as anything other than mother or housewife. This fight carrier on, while others rage in the background: the right to a safe workplace, free from harassment and abuse. Forget equal pay, for a second (although not for long, because in Canada women still make .89 cents for every dollar a man makes). We’re asking that we’re not spoken down to, not denied promotions because of the possibility of having a baby one day.
Women have been fighting a lot longer than men but we’re far from being granted a national holiday in recognition of that fight. The progress women have made, though, is staggering. And it’s ongoing. Sometimes it feels like it will never stop.