An International May Day 2010 Brings Zenroren Trade Unionists to Honor Haymarket Square

Organized by the Institute of Working Class History and hosted by International Studies Program at DePaul University, this year, “A Century+ 0f May Days: International Conference Labor and Social Struggles” conference will feature scholars and labor activists from around the world.

The conference itself, will be held at DePaul University, 2320-2322 N. Kenmore (Chicago). The full schedule for events from Apr. 30 to May 2nd and registration are available at the Institute of Working Class History site.

The connection between May Day and Chicago’s labor history, especially the important fight for the eight-hour work day, systematic violence by private security guards (the Pinkertons) against striking workers, and the Haymarket Square Affair that resulted in the hanging of eight men after a bombing and riot caused in part by police provocateurs, is hardly commemorated or remembered officially in Chicago.

This year,  a May Day Rally at 10 a.m.  in Haymarket Square (corner of DesPlaines and Randolph – Chicago) will be joined by  60 Japanese trade unionists from Zenroren, National Trade Union Confederation of Japan. The trade unionists are dedicating a new plaque to the Haymarket Square Monument. This is sponsored by Illinois Labor History Society (ILHS) and Chicago

Federation of Labor and you can get further details from Larry Spivak, President ILHS at 312.953.1684.

There is a Labor History Trail Bus Tour that leaves from Haymarket Square after May Day rally about 11:30 a.m. which costs $30 in advance and $35 on site.