Happy International Worker's Day!! If you're working an 8 hour day under relatively safe conditions, perhaps even with some nice pay and benefits, then take a moment today to thank those that fought hard to get you those things. International Workers' Day is the commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago, which occurred after a bomb was thrown at police as they dispersed a public assembly during a general strike for an eight-hour workday. In response, the Chicago police opened fire on the demonstrating workers killing dozens, along with several of their own officers. After the Haymarket Massacre, US President Grover Cleveland feared that having Labor Day on May 1 could become an opportunity to commemorate the riots. So in 1887, Labor Day was moved to September. But Haymarket was a turning point in the fight for workers' rights and the rise of unions, and ignited decades of hard won changes in working conditions across the country.

They should give us the day off a good sleep in today would have been nice !!!!

And if Mitt Romney and the current Republicans get their way, worker's rights will be attacked again. Please, everybody register to vote and do the right thing in November. DEADHEADS FOR OBAMA!!!!

viva la resistance

Even way back in 1886 they realized that an 8 hour work day is too long.. more specifically a 40 hour work week...

Indeed, If I know I was going to work for 5 hours instead of 8.5, I would probably be more productive

...and the fight continues

Updated at 4 P.M. ET: Protesters across the world hit the streets Tuesday on May Day to rally against austerity measures and call for higher wages and more jobs.

Marches turned violent in Oakland, where protesters pounded on bank windows and went face-to-face with a police line, and in Seattle, where protesters dressed in black smashed windows and police pepper-sprayed some in the crowds.

In the United States, the protests are seen as the biggest test for the Occupy movement since many of its camps were shuttered late last year. Occupiers in more than 100 cities across the country were expected to protest on the day that traditionally celebrates workers’ rights.

layin' it out with neal

I was looking for the version I heard them do in Jamaica this last January but this wil have to do.

As a proud Teamster I never forget the sacrifice made by those who came before us. I also see the erosion of worker's (and basic human) rights forced upon us by those who would return society to the days of Feudalism. And now I have to go back to work.

Thanks Sue for bringing it up!