HISTORY OF
LABOUR DAY The name Labour Day is the successor name to the "Eight Hour Day" and "May Day". The first "Eight Hour Day " in Queensland was held on 1 March 1865. The first day of March was chosen to commemorate 1 March 1858 when stonemasons working for John Petrie had won an eight hour working day. The eight hour day march was held intermittently on 1 March until 1891. Originally the march was constrained to only those workers who had achieved the eight-hour principle. By 1888 eleven unions had secured significant gains for "fairer" hours and conditions of employment. This strengthening of union solidarity resulted in the march being opened to all workers in 1890. The linking of Labour Day to May Day occurred in Barcaldine, when on 1 May 1891 the first "May Day" procession in Queensland was held at the height of the pastoral strike. Brisbane held its first May Day March on 1 May 1893. In 1901 the day of the march was changed to the first Monday in May when it became a public holiday. The name "Labour Day" replaced "Eight Hour Day " in 1912. With most workers achieving an eight hour day by 1916, wider social industrial and political issues became the focus of the march. Since the early part of this century Labour Day has continued to grow in significance in Queensland. It is now an occasion when unions, community groups, ethnic organisations and other people join in celebration. Queensland is the only state in which the trade union movement recognises the day with major marches and activities around the state. Much has been achieved to enhance working conditions in the past 130 years. The survival and growth of Labour Day reflects this increasing recognition of employee rights and the importance of trade unions. Since the 1800's, unions have been at the forefront of the campaign to improve the position of workers. They are now recognised as the legitimate representatives of working men and women and are concerned with a range of issues involving the wages and conditions of their members. To further enhance the voice and organisation of the labour movement, unions in 1927 established a central co-ordinating body called the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). The ACTU, which now has 51 affiliated unions nationally, also has branches in each state and territory. The Queensland Council of Unions has 44 affiliated unions, representing more than 350,000 workers. The main function of the Queensland Council of Unions is to provide unions with advice and support and to help co-ordinate industrial activity.