Building new economic power on May Day week

It's May Day week – a great time to take action that builds new economic power.

Thursday is May Day, International Workers’ Day. On May 1, 1886, more than 300,000 workers in 13,000 businesses across the United States went on strike for the right to an 8-hour workday and a 40-hour work week. It began as a peaceful strike, but over the next few days it became fraught with instances of police and company brutality toward rallying and striking workers and their families. Worldwide, the labor movement marks the day by celebrating workers and taking action for workers' rights.

Kentuckians are participating big in May Day week! This afternoon, KFTC members are in Washington D.C. meeting with the Kentucky congressional delegation to support policies that would build new economic power in Kentucky. They’re there as part of Rising Voices, the joint summit of National Domestic Workers Alliance and National People’s Action, standing up for immigrants' rights, workers' rights, and building a new economy founded on opportunity. You can follow the day’s events on twitter with #RisingVoices, or on the livestream.

Check out some of those photos! The one to the left is right now, on the march to the Capitol.

And later today, KFTC members and allies in central Kentucky are welcoming the Give America a Raise Bus Tour at Thoroughbred Park. The bus rolls in at 4:00. Come join Kentucky Jobs with Justice, KFTC, and AFL-CIO to welcome the bus and support raising the wage!

Rain? Pshaw, bring a poncho. This photo is from the Louisville stop. Let's send them on with a great show of support!

Mid-week, on Wednesday, April 30, Northern Kentucky KFTC member JoAnn Schwartz is working with Northern Kentucky Justice and Peace Committee on a screening of Robert Reich’s Inequality for All as a way to convene a community discussion about “the lack of justice in all of our system that contribute to inequality.” The screening will be held on Wednesday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Heights, with a discussion following. More info here!

And of course, Thursday. On this May Day, UK students are calling for a school that truly meets the needs of students by standing up to UK’s latest rounds of privatization, outsourcing, and paying workers unfair wages. UK United Students Against Sweatshops is sponsoring a rally and a march, and the Central Kentucky KFTC Chapter is proud to be a cosponsor. Join in! Meet at Alumni Plaza at 6:30 p.m. and plan to be out until 8.

What are your plans to celebrate workers this week?