Labour Day 2023: A day to say YES
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 2, 31 March 2023, page no. 8
This year, Labour Day is Monday 1 May, with celebrations being planned at locations throughout the state across the long weekend.
In Brisbane, as in all corners of the state, the celebrations will be part of an important tradition that reflects the union movement’s commitment to social justice and workers’ rights.
On Labour Day, we celebrate the collective achievements of workers, including the positive changes that are won through unions both at work and in the community. This year, the Queensland Council of Unions, of which the QTU is an affiliate, is focusing the Labour Day theme on Voice.Treaty.Truth. This is part of the ACTU’s “Unions for Yes” campaign, which is about encouraging people to vote YES in the forthcoming referendum on a Voice to Parliament for First Nations people.
Themes are important, yet as a teacher attending Labour Day marches it never occurred to me to really consider each year’s theme because I didn’t need an extra reason to attend. After all, I have always known why I marched: to celebrate the achievements of workers and the labour movement. I love being part of that public display of pride and solidarity. I love the bustle and buzz as we wait in our thousands to set off on the march. I love seeing teachers and school leaders bump into one another and say, “Hi! I haven’t seen you for years, let’s catch up!” It’s the togetherness and comradery that has seen me turn up year upon year, as well as a sense that we need to show the public what we stand for.
I have found it interesting, though, to look back at some of the different themes we have had in recent times. Last year, the QTU marched to demand fair funding for our schools. Back in 2019 we were hoping to “Change the Rules” as part of an ACTU federal campaign. In 2017, we marched in solidarity with our QCU affiliates in demanding protection for penalty rates. The year before, we focused on celebrating Labour Day being “Back in May” where it belonged. Remember how it was in October for a few short years? Oh, the memories!
This year’s theme for the QTU’s Labour Day march is Voice. Treaty. Truth. In the previous Journal, QTU General Secretary Kate Ruttiman discussed why the QTU sees the Voice campaign as Union business. The QTU has committed to providing spaces that are free from all forms of harassment, including racism, which is so important as we head towards the referendum. Labour Day is an opportunity for us as a Union to publicly say “We support Voice.Treaty.Truth.” You will see our new Labour Day T-shirts proudly supporting this message and they will be available at marches across Labour Day weekend. In fact, you may have already noticed some our Union Reps proudly wearing them, as we released an early sample at our recent Reps Conference.
No matter what the theme is, who the government of the day is, or the location, we march to celebrate the contributions that workers make to society and to raise awareness of the ongoing struggles that our diverse members face. We march in solidarity on a day filled with comradery, laughter, and spirit. This Labour Day, if you’re heading along to a march, bring a friend, relative or colleague, so we can make it a huge public celebration that shows the strength and commitment of our union movement.
Labour Day weekend is Saturday 29 April to Monday 1 May, and we want you, your family, and friends to join us right across the state.
Details of local celebrations will be released closer to the date. In Brisbane, QTU members will gather on the Monday public holiday (1 May) for the march from the City to the RNA Showgrounds, where there will be the usual food, drinks, and free family entertainment and rides. Come along and celebrate!