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The International Workers’ today, 1 May, is probably more important than in a long time. The day was first declared in 1889, and introduced in Norway in 1919.
It started with requirement for an eight-hour day. Imagine that, while in 2024 we have not yet managed to reduce this to a six-hour day. It’s going too slow.
1st May
The first of May is an international demonstration day for the labor movement. On this day, it is common for the labor and trade union movement to organize demonstration trains and speeches.
Before the First World War, the demand for an 8-hour working day was the labor movement’s most important demand. In Norway, this was introduced in 1919. Later, other welfare requirements such as paid holidays and pensions have dominated – first there have been demonstrations for their introduction and then for their retention.
The day’s significance for the labor movement originates in the United States in 1886. On May 1 this year, 200,000 American workers went on strike to introduce an eight-hour working day (before this requirement was met, working days could be up to 12 hours, see working hours).
Source: Great Norwegian Lexicon
We need to change to a society where more people can work longer. Therefore, it is important to have shorter working days in order to last as many years as possible in a demanding, modern working life. Six-hour days also provide more opportunities to come to work.
“You may say Am I a dreamer?” Nope. Those who are skeptical would be the same who were skeptical of the eight-hour day in their time. We have many years of successful attempts, also in this country.
Labor Day memories us about all the battles that are important to take to improve working life.
At the same time also reminds day us about the importance of taking care of the cogs and oil that make the cooperation between employer and employee in Norway “run its course”.
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The so-called tripartite cooperation, the cooperation between employee, employer and the state is part of what we call “the Nordic social model”. This cooperation is unique because it is so regulated and orderly compared to many other countries where the cooperation is more or less random, rarely regulated by law and at times much more conflict-ridden than the tripartite cooperation here.
The gears are all written and unwritten rules for the tripartite collaboration, while the oil is the trust that keeps them going. Neither the gears nor the oil must ever be taken for granted! They must be complied with and maintained.
Labor Day is also an important reminder to organize in a trade union.
So that the workers’ pay and working conditions are to gain even greater power, it is absolutely essential that you join a trade union. The stronger the trade unions, the better equipped the workers are to face the challenges of tomorrow’s working life by being able to gain more and greater influence for good working life policy.
Good match and Happy International Workers’ Day.
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