Labour Day: The fight for workers’ rights in New Zealand
Published on Wed Oct 20 2021 in Community
The fourth Monday in October marks Labour Day, a public holiday dedicated to Kiwi workers of all stripes. People across the country enjoy a day off, relaxing with family and friends, watching local parades, or travelling over the long weekend.
Labour Day’s meaning and importance has changed since it was first established. What was once a prominent day marked by celebrations and union demonstrations is now a low-key day off work.
The Eight-Hour Work Day
The origin of Labour Day in New Zealand is often linked to Samuel Parnell, an English carpenter who immigrated to the Wellington area in 1839. After his arrival, Parnell was asked by fellow passenger George Hunter to build him a store. Parnell agreed to take the job on one condition: that he only be required to work eight-hour days.
Parnell’s argument echoed the slogan created by social reformer Robert Owen, calling for “Eight hours’ labour, Eight hours’ recreation, Eight hours’ rest.” Parnell stated:
I will do my best, but I must make this condition, Mr. Hunter, that on the job the hours shall only be eight for the day… There are twenty-four hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleep, and the remaining eight for recreation and in which for me to do what little things they want for themselves…
Hunter was not keen at first, but as there were so few tradesmen in New Zealand at that time, he quickly agreed to the terms. Parnell later wrote, “the first strike for eight hours a-day the world has ever seen, was settled on the spot.”
Expanding workers’ rights
The fight for an eight-hour work day wasn’t over. Other employers were not as agreeable as Hunter and tried to impose longer hours as more skilled tradesmen reached New Zealand. Parnell gained the support of other workers, who in October 1840 all agreed to work eight hours a day. New arrivals to the colony were informed of the local custom, and anyone who tried to circumvent the measure was ducked into the harbour!
By the mid-1860s all tradesmen and labourers had won the right to an eight-hour work day. However, other workers were not included in the custom, and it was not protected by legislation. Many people also worked in unpleasant and sometimes dangerous conditions. Efforts were made to standardise work hours across all professions, but these did not gain parliamentary approval. The government was reluctant to upset the business owners.
Public celebrations
The first Labour Day was celebrated in New Zealand on 28 October 1890. Thousands of trade union members and supporters attended parades. Government employees were given the day off and many businesses closed for a least part of the day. An elderly Parnell was guest of honour at the first Wellington celebrations.
Labour Day demonstrations continued each year, in part to rally support for laws mandating an eight-hour work day for all occupations. In 1899 the New Zealand government created a public holiday on the second Wednesday in October. The holiday was later “Mondayised,” and has been celebrated on the fourth Monday in October ever since. Measures were later enacted to protect the rights of workers, including mandating eight-hour days and the 40-hour work week.
Over time Labour Day lost much of its political meaning. Parades became more commercialised, with floats advertising businesses, theatres, circuses and temperance organisations. By the 1920s events began to decline, and today Labour Day is just another public holiday for most New Zealanders.
What does Labour Day mean to you?
Does Labour Day hold special meaning in your household? How will you and your family spend the day? Share your stories and photos with us on Facebook!
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About Author: Momentum Life is a leading provider of Life insurance and Funeral insurance in New Zealand.
Sources:
Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, Eight-Hour-Day Movement
NZ History, Labour Day and Samuel Parnell
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