8-hour day

1886: The Bay View Massacre

Steven. — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:09:31 +0000

The deadly stand-off between workers and the National Guard was the culmination of events that began on Saturday May 1, 1886.

A historical marker, pictured above, is located at Russel and Superior on Jones Island in Bay View. It commemorates the Bay View Massacre.

1915-1920: Red Clydeside and the shop stewards' movement

Steven. — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:47:44 +0000

Although unemployment decreased slightly in the few years immediately preceding the beginning of hostilities, inflation rose dramatically, increasing the prices of foodstuffs, rents and fuel, but decreasing workers’ wages by 15%. While conditions at work were fairly miserable, workers had to return to bad housing where overcrowding was not uncommon and disease rampant.

1886: The Haymarket Martyrs and Mayday

Steven. — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 09:54:20 +0000

Originally a pagan holiday, the roots of the modern Mayday bank holiday are in the fight for the eight-hour working day in Chicago in 1886, and the subsequent execution of innocent anarchist trade unionists.

1919: La Canadiense and Barcelona general strike

Steven. — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 10:30:19 +0000

The strike forced the introduction of the world's first 8-hour working day law and large pay increases.

1919: The 40-hours strike

Steven. — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 10:17:53 +0000

The objectives of the strike were overtly political; they were to secure a reduction of weekly working hours to 40 in order that discharged soldiers could find employment, and to stop the re-emergence of an unemployed reserve, thereby maintaining the strength of labour against capital.

Parsons on the 8 hour Day

libcom — Sun, 24 Jul 2005 17:53:12 +0000

Albert R. Parsons, Haymarket Martyr and anarchist on the movement for an eight-hour working day in March, 1886.