after Earth Day comes May Day

…both exercises in calling out unsustainable practices and their consequences…Beltane and Maypoles aside, May Day is more about workplace rights than greenery.

snippets of history:

On May 1, 1886, more than 300,000 workers in 13,000 businesses across the United States walked off their jobs in the first May Day celebration in history. In Chicago, the epicenter for the 8-hour day agitators, 40,000 went out on strike...The UK protest actually took place on a Sunday, and in London alone attracted 300,000 protesters to Hyde Park.

For more than a century, May Day has been a celebration of the international labor movement and is a national holiday in more than 80 countries. For obvious reason, it is a popular date for rallies, marches and protests. Last year, Occupy was the dominant theme: this year, seemingly less so. Observances are still planned for Chicago, New York and major cities around the world…and on campuses too.

We're making a list…call it our virtual May Day. If your campus or adjunct group has not scheduled a May Day something or other (conference exhaustion may have set in) and/or you are not in some major May Day hub, they follow along and support. Noted so far:

SUNY New Paltz UUP and Student-Labor Coalition will be launching "May Day $5K" with rallies at New Paltz and elsewhere as well as collecting signatures for a national campaign to raise the salary and improve the working conditions for the majority of teachers in higher education throughout the country. The campaign, initiated by NFM Board (and founding) Member Peter D.G. Brown, is aimed at the roughly one million part-time adjuncts and full-time lecturers, who comprise the so-called “contingent” academic labor force not on the tenure track. For more information, contact: Peter D.G. Brown, 845-257-2783, peterdg.brown@gmail.com

In Akron, Ohio, the Ohio Part-Time Faculty Association has scheduled a May 1 Rally for Equity, 11 am - 2 pm on the plaza between the Student Union and Buchtel Hall on the University of Akron’s main campus. Map. All faculty, staff, students and the public are invited to attend to show solidarity with UA’s part-time faculty whose lives are seriously impacted by a recent administrative decision that cuts their course loads to eight credit hours per semester. This decision was made so that UA could avoid providing health care benefits required under the Affordable Care Act. To help us gauge participation, we ask that you complete a confidential participation form. 

So, what's happening in your neighborhood? Let us know.