También en castellano| També en català
Dear colleagues,
This Friday marks May 1st, International Workers’ Day, a public holiday in Spain and across much of Europe.
It is often said that to understand where we are going, we must first understand where we come from. With that in mind, today we would like to briefly reflect on the origins of this day.
In the late nineteenth century, during the Industrial Revolution, working conditions were extremely harsh, with shifts often lasting well beyond ten or twelve hours a day. In response, workers began to organize and mobilize to demand better conditions. On May 1st, 1886, thousands of workers across the United States launched a general strike calling for the eight-hour working day. In Chicago, these protests culminated in what became known as the Haymarket Affair, when a peaceful gathering ended in violence and severe repression. Several labor leaders were convicted, and some were executed, becoming enduring symbols of the struggle for workers’ rights.
Since 1889, the international labor movement has recognized May 1st as a day of remembrance, solidarity, and collective action. It stands as a symbol of the ongoing fight for dignity, social justice, and labor rights. It is also a reminder that the rights and protections many enjoy today were not granted freely, but won through the effort, solidarity, and determination of generations who came before us.
This Friday, we reaffirm the need to continue defending fair working conditions, equal opportunities, and a more just and humane society. In a world shaped by constant social change, the unity of working people remains essential to building a more dignified future. On this day, we reaffirm that people must come before capital and state power, and we remember that only through solidarity, mutual support, and collective action can we create a better future.
Today, we celebrate a simple truth: together, we are stronger.
Health and strength,
CGT CELLS