4/19: May First Resolution in Madison WI: PASSED!

Thursday, April 19th, at 7:25pm the Dane County Board voted unanimously to support the resolution presented by Ashok Kumar recognizing May Day and encouraging employers in Dane County to respect the rights of workers to take part in the May 1st activities without a punitive recourse.

Here is the complete text:

Res. No. 384, 2006-2007
Resolution Recognizing May 1st as International Worker's Day

WHEREAS May 1st is recognized and celebrated around the world as International Worker's Day, commemorating the historic struggle of working people throughout the world, and is recognized in every country except the United States, Canada, and South Africa despite the fact that the holiday began in the 1880s in the United States, with the fight for an eight-hour workday; and

WHEREAS In 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions passed a resolution stating that eight hours would constitute a legal day's work after May 1, 1886, the resolution called for a general strike to achieve the goal, since legislative methods had already failed; and

WHEREAS with workers being forced to work ten, twelve, and fourteen hours a day, rank-and-file support for the eight-hour movement grew rapidly, despite the indifference and hostility of many union leaders; and

WHEREAS by April 1886, 250,000 workers were involved in the May Day movement, and In April 10 and May 1st of 2006 tens of thousands of students and workers marched in Madison and millions across the country in support of the struggles of immigrants and working people, more than 25,000 workers gathered at the capitol to protest for immigrant' rights and for better working conditions and ironically, many workers who participated in the rallies were retaliated against harshly by their employers, including widespread reports of dismissals and suspensions even in Dane County.

WHEREAS in 2006 many Dane County employees took part in the activities and currently, Dane County respects the right of all county employees who wish to partake in events and activities celebrating May 1st within the benefits of their employment.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dane county Board of supervisors does hereby recognize May 1st as "International Workers' Day" (El dia del trabajo) to recognize their right to work, their right to a living wage, their right to humane and safe working conditions and their right to be protected from abused; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Dane County Board of Supervisors encourages employers in Dane County to respect the rights to take part in the May 1st activities without a punitive resource."