Hot topic: Labour Day
Labour Day acknowledges the labour union movement, and is celebrated worldwide. In New Zealand, Labour Day is held on the fourth Monday in October. Its origins can be traced back to the eight–hour working day movement in 1840. The movement arose after tradesmen, lead by Samuel Parnell, refused to work more than eight hours a day as they helped to establish the newly founded colony.
On 28 October 1890, the 50th anniversary of the eight–hour working day, a commemorative parade was held. The event was then celebrated annually as either Labour Day or Eight–Hour Demonstration Day. In 1899 government legislated that the day be a public holiday from 1900. The day was celebrated on different days in different provinces. In 1910 the government "Mondayised" the holiday so that it would be observed on the same day throughout the nation.
Resources on TKI
More than a Holiday – Labour Day
Samuel Parnell's struggle to promote workers rights in New Zealand is celebrated each Labour Day. In this level 4 unit intended for years 6–8, students conduct an inquiry into Labour Day. They look at Parnell's ideas, create a cartoon strip that tells his story, and take a look at current issues relating to children and work.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/SSOL/labour_day/index_e.php
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Other resources
Labour Day
This site from NZHistory.net contains a history of Labour Day since it was first celebrated in 1890. Includes information about Samuel Parnell who helped NZ become one of the first countries in the world to adopt the eight-hour working day. Suitable for upper primary levels and above.
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/labourday
Samuel Duncan Parnell
A biography of Samuel Duncan Parnell (1810–1890) who emigrated from England in 1840 and initiated the 'eight hour day' in New Zealand. Includes information on the history of Labour Day. The original version of this biography was published in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography Volume One (1769–1869), 1990.
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=1P7
Mabel Howard (1894 – 1972)
A biography of Mabel Howard – New Zealand trade unionist, community worker, and politician. This biography was originally published in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography Volume 5 (1941–1960), 2000. Includes a sound file of Howard recollecting her early years.
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/Essay_Body.asp?PersonEssay=5H38&QuickSearch=true
New Zealand Department of Labour
The website of the New Zealand Department of Labour, Te Hari Mahi. Includes links to their services – employment relationships, workplace health and safety, community employment, immigration, labour market policy, and Māori liaison. Provides links to legislation/Acts and publications in PDF format.
http://www.dol.govt.nz
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
The website of New Zealand Council of Trade Unions. Includes information and a progress checklist on the Fairness at Work compaign, a search to locate unions, upcoming events, information for young workers, and links to other unions and affiliations.
http://www.union.org.nz
WorkSite
This website combines the resources of a number of Government agencies to help users make decisions about work. It includes information about education and training, career planning, finding work, finding employees and establishing and operating a business in New Zealand.
http://www.worksite.govt.nz
Christchurch City Libraries
Check out this information for students.
http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Kids/Holidays/LabourDay/
http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Reference/NZPoliticsTimeline/1894–1916/
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Labour Day in other countries
Find out about Labour Day in other countries.
United States and Canada
http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/search/search.php?word=LABOR%20DAY&enc=26965
Great Britain
http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/search/search.php?word=laborlaw
Please note: These links were valid when this page was posted. However the Web is very volatile, and TKI has no control over outside websites. Please let us know if you find anything inappropriate, if you find a broken link, or if you have an update for a link by emailing links@tki.org.nz. Te Kete Ipurangi recommends that teachers view all websites we link to before using them with students.
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