MAY DAY: AN IMPORTANT BUT UNCELEBRATED HOLIDAY HERE

The first of May — May Day — is a holiday that marks the start of spring. But it’s also a day of worker solidarity and protest. While May Day is an official holiday in 66 countries around the world — and unofficially celebrated in many more — you may be out of luck if you’re looking for May Day festivities here today. It’s rarely commemorated in the U.S.

Still, May Day is an important part of our history, dating back to the Industrial Revolution. Working conditions were deplorable then, and hours were long; thousands of men, women and children died every year as a result. Labor unions came together to demand an eight-hour workday, organizing a nationwide strike.

It happened on May 1, 1886. More than 350,000 workers walked out of their jobs across the country. In Chicago, the action was part of what became known as the Haymarket affair, a protest that turned violent and deadly. In its aftermath, eight men labeled as anarchists were convicted in a controversial trial. May 1 was declared an international holiday for labor by the International Socialist Conference.

President Grover Cleveland — fearing the holiday would build support for communism and other radical causes — moved Labor Day to the first Monday in September. President Dwight Eisenhower later named May 1 “Loyalty Day.”

Nearly 150 years after Haymarket, worker unrest continues. In the last year, labor unions have organized 40 strikes at companies including Kellogg’s and John Deere, seeking better pay, working conditions and retirement benefits. The “Great Resignation” saw a record 47.4 million people voluntarily quit in 2021, emboldened by the large number of jobs that are unfilled. The trend is still going strong.

In California, legislation is working its way through state government to reduce the standard workweek to 32 hours for companies with more than 500 workers. There would be no corresponding cut in pay; employees who work additional hours would be compensated at a rate no less than 1.5 times their regular hourly wage.

The legislation responds to an outcry from workers seeking better work-life balance — certain to be one of the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

And while it’s not a bread-andbutter issue, many more people today want to work for a company that has a conscience. Afdhel Aziz, who runs a global brand purpose consultancy, wrote a 2020 article in Forbes called “The Power of Purpose.” In it, he cited two studies. One found that twothirds of millennials — who will make up 75 percent of the workforce by 2025 — won’t take a job if their employer doesn’t have a strong corporate social responsibility policy. Another study described the next generation, Gen-z, as “the first generation to prioritize purpose over salary.” They want their employer’s values to match their own.

We saw corporate consciousness play out in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and nationwide protests two years ago. Companies acknowledged they needed to take a more active role in confronting systemic racism; the largest among them pledged nearly $50 billion to begin addressing economic inequality and other disparities.

In Florida, The Walt Disney Company has found itself in the thick of a culture war after deciding to speak up about the state’s “Parental Rights in Education” bill, better known as the “Don’t Say Gay” measure. The company was quiet (as a mouse) when the legislation was under consideration; when it passed, Disney workers staged walkouts in protest.

Disney’s chief executive swiftly apologized to employees for not taking a stronger stand. Then, the company released a statement saying that its goal is for the law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down by the courts. Disney employs roughly 80,000 people in the Orlando area and produces $75.2 billion in annual economic impact to central Florida.

In response, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis signed a law last week that revokes Disney’s self-governing status — an enticement given to the company by the state in the 1960s to build Disney World there. But the language that established the so-called Reedy Creek Improvement District says it can’t be dissolved unless the state pays off its outstanding bond debt, currently about $1 billion.

One congressman has said he will fight extension of Disney’s Mickey Mouse copyright, which comes up on Jan. 1, 2024, in part because of the company’s “hypocritical, woke corporate actions.” Escalation seems inevitable: The idea of Desantis and Disney coming together to discuss their differences is as imaginary as Mickey himself.

It’s uncertain which side will win this latest battle in the Florida culture wars. But for now, we can celebrate a day that’s given voice to our workers. It’s a voice that still needs to be heard.

Dinkin is president of the National Conflict Resolution Center, a San Diego-based group working to create solutions to challenging issues, including intolerance and incivility. To learn about NCRC’S programming, visit ncrconline.com