Monday Sept 07, 2009
(Attention Word Nazis - These blog post are done half conscience at midnight - fast and unedited to keep with the raw and pure truth of the intention of project...If the mosaic stream of conscientiousness and grammar offense you too bad...LOL)
The Great Escape
Wherever you go, go with all your heart. ~Confucius
Well Gals and Guys Happy Labor Day to you all...It been a quite and amazing and slightly emotional weekend. See Blog Below after this Tribute and Quick History Lesson
The History of Labor Day : Canadian Encyclopedia
In a time when the news of labour "strife" is dominated by disputes between millionaire athletes and billionaire owners, history provides a useful perspective on a time when working people had to fight to work less than 12 hours a day. The "Nine-Hour Movement" began in Hamilton, Ontario, and then spread to Toronto where its demands were taken up by the Toronto Printer's Union.
In 1869 the union sent a petition to their employers requesting a weekly reduction in hours per week to 58, placing itself in the forefront of the industrialized world in the fight for shorter hours. Their request was refused outright by the owners of the printing shops, most vehemently by George Brown of the Globe.
By 1872 the union's stand had hardened from a request to a demand and a threat to strike. The employers called the demand for a shorter workweek "foolish", "absurd" and "unreasonable." As a result, on March 25, 1872 the printers went on strike.
On April 14 a demonstration was held to show solidarity among the workers of Toronto. A parade of some 2000 workers marched through the city, headed by two marching bands. By the time that the parade reached Queen's Park, the sympathetic crowd had grown to 10,000.
The employers fought the strikers by bringing in replacement workers from small towns. George Brown launched a counterattack by launching a legal action against the union for "conspiracy." Brown's action revealed the astonishing fact that according to the laws of Canada union activity was indeed considered a criminal offense. Under the law, which dated back to 1792, police arrested and jailed the 24 members of the strike committee.
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Macdonald was quick to capitalize. In Ottawa, he spoke to a crowd at city hall, promising to wipe the "barbarous laws" restricting labour from the books. Macdonald then came to the rescue of the imprisoned men and on June 14 passed a Trade Union Act, which legalized and protected union activity. Macdonald's move not only embarrassed his rival Brown but also earned him the enduring support of the working class.
For the strikers themselves, the short-term effects were very damaging. Many lost their jobs and were forced to leave Toronto. The long-term effects, however, were positive. After 1872 almost all union demands included the 54-hour week. Thus the Toronto printers were pioneers of the shorter workweek in North America. The movement did not reach places such as Chicago or New York until the turn of the century.
The fight of the Toronto printers had a second, lasting legacy. The parades held in support of the Nine-Hour Movement and the printers' strike led to an annual celebration. In 1882 American labour leader Peter J. McGuire witnessed one of these labour festivals in Toronto. Inspired, he returned to New York and organized the first American "labour day" on September 5 of the same year. Throughout the 1880s pressure built in Canada to declare a national labour holiday and on July 23, 1894 the government of Sir John Thompson passed a law making Labour Day official. A huge Labour Day parade took place in Winnipeg that year. It stretched some 5 kilometres. The tradition of a Labour Day celebration quickly spread across Canada and the continent. It had all begun in Toronto with the brave stand of the printers' union.
James Marsh is editor in chief of The Canadian Encyclopedia.
Labor Day History - History Channel (USA)
As the Industrial Revolution took hold of the nation, the average American in the late 1800s worked 12-hour days, seven days a week in order to make a basic living. Children were also working, as they provided cheap labor to employers and laws against child labor were not strongly enforced.
With the long hours and terrible working conditions, American unions became more prominent and voiced their demands for a better way of life. On Tuesday September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers marched from city hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first-ever Labor Day parade. Participants took an upaid day-off to honor the workers of America, as well as vocalize issues they had with employers. As years passed, more states began to hold these parades, but Congress would not legalize the holiday until 12 years later.
On May 11, 1894, workers of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago struck to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. They sought support from their union led by Eugene V. Debs and on June 26 the American Railroad Union called a boycott of all Pullman railway cars. Within days, 50,000 rail workers complied and railroad traffic out of Chicago came to a halt. On July 4, President Grover Cleveland dispatched troops to Chicago. Much rioting and bloodshed ensued, but the government's actions broke the strike and the boycott soon collapsed. Debs and three other union officials were jailed for disobeying the injunction. The strike brought worker's rights to the public eye and Congress declared, in 1894, that the first Monday in September would be the holiday for workers, known as Labor Day.
The founder of Labor Day remains unclear, but some credit either Peter McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, or Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, for proposing the holiday.
Although Labor Day is meant as a celebration of the labor movement and its achievements, it has come to be celebrated as the last, long summer weekend before Autumn.
NOW BACK TO OUR RGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMNG
Had a heart to heart with and online virtual friend which was quite significant. It changed my perspective and mindset a bit. The act of of being emotionally vulnerable and revealing is scary but invigorating at times , but the thought and the ultimatum of losing a connection and a bond that has been made and formed.... Woke me up, and although I don't like ultimatums. I think they are a form of emotional blackmail 99% of the time. This time I am kinda glad I was in a state of openness to accept it.
I just want them to know I really appreciate them - you know who you are. I have grown quite fond of them.
The rest of the weekend was fun also... In my opinion anyway. And at the end of the day that all the really counts. Friday met up with a buddy who is in town but leaving for another work / travel tour. He lives quite a hard life he works for High End Cruiseline and travels the World for free. He has currently circumnavigated the globe 4 times. (Bastard LOL)
He consulted me as most people do in regards to career and or realtionship. So we took all the pros and cons and systematically went through them...He made a decision that was pratical and spirtitual benefitual to him. I was very happy.
I am trying to encourage him to go on a voluntary celibate fast...he laughs , rolls his eyes and tells me I am crazy. I support you. But I wouldn't last a week. Then I said then all the more you should do it.
Then I get a text message from a mutual friend ...and we end up doing this crazy scavenger hunt to meet up... We end up at DQ ..not my favorite place. I prefer going to a local non franchised establishments Mom & Pop places ..Support your local businesses and economy Eat Local & buy local first, country second, Continent third, World fourth...
I had a fantastic day yesterday went on a bit of a roadtrip with a best buddy of mine. Was gone for about 9 hrs ... we traveled all through the southern most portion of my region, saw some amazing sights and scenery...shared some food, music, stories and silence. I love comfortable silence...it really shows intimacy.
It is almost past the midway mark...I have to say...the not dating , the voluntary celibacy or no sex is not that hard...but the reprogramming of the brain...is a bastard. I am doing my best.
Well that is my random thought for today stay tuned another time for some more randonmess LOL.
RECIPE OF THE DAY : Follow Links
Labor-Free Recipes for Labor Day Grilling
GLUTEN FREE LABOR DAY RECIPES :
CORN
STEAKY VEGETARIAN PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS
SALAD
Wild Salmon Sausage & Burgers
Check out @gfveg on twitter and her site Wheatless & Meatless
Check Out @glutenfreegirl on twitter and at Gluten free Girl
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