May Day grew out of the struggle for the eight-hour day. Stonemasons in Melbourne and Sydney had won the eight-hour day as a general industry standard in 1856, setting an international benchmark. In the decades to come workers campaigned to extend the right to other industries.
May Day is our day to celebrate how far we have come as a movement and here are some exciting examples of how union branches around the country celebrated this important day…
110 Years on, The ETU Queensland and Northern Territory is stronger than EVER!
It’s not often you get to celebrate two significant events on one weekend but that is what happened for ETU members across the state and territory over the 2025 May Day Long weekend. Not only did we lead the parade in many places celebrating our 110th anniversary, but we also celebrated playing a role in the dumping of arguably Australia’s most divisive and dangerous politician of the modern era, Peter Dutton. Not only did he lose his own seat of Dickson, but he took the Coalition to its worst defeat in its history. The Coalition primary vote of 32.2% was its lowest since its formation in 1946. When asked to do so at this election the good people of Dickson Put Dutton Last, because that is exactly where he put them. The ALP’s Ali France won the seat with a TPP swing of 7.8% after being slightly behind Dutton on primary votes.
May Day 2025 a time to reflect and celebrate who we are and what we stand for.
Across the state and territory thousands of ETU members, families and supporters took to the streets – from Darwin to the Darling Downs, Cape York to Coolangatta and many places in between – to celebrate our union, who we are and what we stand for. The biggest parade was in Brisbane where thousands turned out despite persistent showers and the odd downpour. A great weekend celebrating 110 years of The ETU, we stand strong and proud, ready for the next 110!
Members at BAE take action on May Day
CEPU members working for BAE in SA attended the SA May Day rally as part of their ongoing stop work actions to win a fair pay deal. BAE delegate, Thaelen. addressed the May Day crowd to share the members’ story, as part of a worker panel. And CEPU SA State Councilor and Executive member, Gaynor Maree, won the SA May Day Collective’s annual Trail Blazer award, recognizing outstanding work done by a rank-and-file delegate.
Saputo members celebrated during May Day celebrations
The annual Hobart May Day celebrations were cancelled on Saturday, 24th May due to inclement weather but the Tas branch still went ahead with a May DAY celebration BBQ at the Tassie office.
The annual Devonport May Day celebrations took place on Thursday1st May – a fantastic event made even more important by having the delegation of 12 Saputo attend and recognised for their power and solidarity during the Saputo strike.
Unions rallied together outside NSW Parliament
It was a rainy day but many but that didn’t dampen the spirits of comrades in NSW, turning out in force for the May Day rally.
Joined by many other unions, including the MUA and the Doctors’ Union, members gathered outside NSW parliament house and held speeches and chanted to show that workers united will never be defeated. It was a was wonderful day with members standing together, standing proud and standing strong.
The workers united, will never be defeated!