Labor Day Decorations

As the first Monday of September grows closer, the plans for our Labor Day decorations need to be made. This holiday dedicated to the workers of society leaves very few of us out. As the official end of summer, Labor Day gives all of us a reason to get together and celebrate.

With such a big American holiday, why not decorate in a patriotic theme? A red, white and blue motif is the perfect setting for any Labor Day party. Things of the summer will soon be left in the past. Decorate your Labor Day party with items that remind all of us of the beautiful weather of summer.

Watermelons are one of the fruits we associate with summer. Fill watermelon shaped bowls with appetizers for the party. Reduce your driving and running around by buying online Labor Day party supplies.

If you can't find watermelon bowls then, create them yourself. Use black paint to paint seeds on the outside of the bowl. After the seeds dry, use pink paint for the sweet part of the fruit. Go right over the painted black seeds. Stop the pink paint about an inch down from the rim of the bowl leaving a space for the green color. Next use light green paint to go over the pink paint after it is dry and continue it right up to the rim of the bowl. After the green paint is dry use darker green paint to create lines length wise down the side of the bowl. For the final step, seal it with acrylic sealer. When you are done, you should be able to look into the bowl and see the pink inside of the watermelon complete with seeds. The outside of the bowl should look like the shell of a watermelon. Do this project with any design you like for the perfect personal touch to your Labor Day decorations. Surf the internet for more craft ideas.

Labor Day Party Games - Planning a Great Celebration

Celebrating Labor Day with a party which includes games can make the occasion fun for everyone. Here are a few suggestions to start you off.

“Head-Butt Challenge” Labor Day Party Game
This Labor Day party game is lots of fun for party guests of all ages, and more difficult than it seems! It also needs to be played in a fairly large, open area – the more open the area, the more challenging the game is. Prior to the party, blow up enough balloons to give one to each player. Gather players together and hand out the balloons. The object of the game is for each player to keep their balloon in the air for as long as possible using nothing but their heads – strictly no objects, hands, other body parts or assistance from other people allowed! A player must leave the game if their balloon touches the ground, or if they use anything other than their head to keep it in the air. The last player standing is the winner of this fun Labor Day party game.

“Switcheroo” Labor Day Party Games
This is a quiet Labor Day party game that tests players’ memory and observational skills. Divide players into two roughly even teams (one extra player doesn’t matter), team 1 and team 2. Team 1 must go into a separate room (or at least out of sight of the other team) and swap various clothes or accessories with each other before returning to the other team. Team 2 have 3 minutes to try and guess all the clothing-swaps that have been made by the other team. The teams swap places (with team 2 doing the swapping and team 1 doing the guessing), and the team with the most correct answers is the winner of this Labor Day party game.

The History and Meaning of Labour Day

LABOUR DAY IS AN IMPORTANT EVENT WHICH RECOGNISES THE CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY OF ALL WORKING PEOPLE

The day has a long history, which dates back in one form or another more than 130 years.
In Queensland, it has special significance, as we are the only state where Labour Day involves a mass procession and celebration.

Trade Unions, which represent the collective interest of workers, play an essential role in ensuring the continued relevance and spirit of this celebration.

EIGHT - HOUR DAY

The origins of Labour Day stem from the early 1860s when the general campaign for an eight-hour working day began.

This issue was important for employees, many of whom were expected to toil for unreasonably long hours in poor conditions.

While annual processions of unionists began in the mid 1860s, these marches were quite small and restricted too only those who had achieved the eight-hour principle.

EMERGENCE OF MAY DAY

The American fight for an eight-hour day had gained considerable momentum by the late nineteenth century, with a May Day celebration emerging that has influenced many workers worldwide.

May Day became entrenched in the United States when unionists on 1 May 1886 held a demonstration about working hours.

In Chicago at this time five people were executed on trumped up charges and this incident served to strengthen the resolve of workers to fight for basic rights.

SOLIDARITY IN QUEENSLAND

The battle for fairer hours and conditions continued in Queensland and although by 1888 eleven unions had won significant gains, however conditions for many people had deteriorated.
A greater sense of union solidarity began to emerge at this time as workers in varying industries banded together in the common struggle.

This solidarity resulted in the Labour Day march being opened to all workers for the first time in 1890.

The initial linking in Queensland of Labour Day with May Day occurred in the outback Queensland town of Barcaldine on 1 May 1891 when striking bush workers marched through the streets.

The Brisbane celebration was moved to May in 1893 and this date was soon set aside for the annual event throughout Queensland.

OBJECTIVES AND GROWTH

Over the years the objectives of Labour Day have changed.

With most Queensland workers winning an eight-hour day by 1916, wider social, industrial and political issues became the focus of the activity.

Since the early part of this century Labour Day has continued to grow in significance in Queensland.

It is now an occasion when unions, community groups, ethnic organisations and other people join in celebration.

We have a public holiday for the occasion and we are the only state in which the official trade unions recognise the day with major marches and activities in various centres.

Interstate trade unions support the objective of May Day but do not have a public holiday. While they do indeed have a holiday for Labour Day at a different time, this event passes without major union celebration like that, which occurs in Queensland.

IMPORTANCE OF TRADE UNIONS

Much has been achieved to enhance working conditions in the past 130 years.

The survival and growth of Labour Day reflects this increasing recognition of employee rights and the importance of trade unions.

Unions are associations of employees which have banded together to pursue common industrial goals.

Since the 1800s unions have been at the forefront of the campaign to improve the position of employees.

They are now recognised as the legitimate representatives of working men and women and are concerned with a range of issues involving the wages and conditions of their members.

To further enhance the voice and organisation of the labour movement, unions in 1927 established a central coordinating body called the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
The ACTU, which now has 51 affiliated unions nationally, also has branches in each state and territory. The ACTU Queensland has 40 affiliated unions, representing more than 350,000 workers.

The main functions of the ACTU centrally and in each state and territory are to provide unions with advice and support and to help coordinate industrial activity.