May Day, celebrated on May 1, is a holiday with multiple meanings. It’s been known as a symbol of springtime, flowers and gaiety in many parts of the world. In the last century, May Day has taken on political significance.

“It’s a very important event to the laborers of the school,” said Jose Nunez, De Anza College director of College Services.

A coalition of staff workers, part-time faculty, United Workers and Allies, and Students for Justice sponsored a labor event honoring the workers at De Anza last Monday, May 1. “We covered the bases, it wasn’t just one group of workers,” Admission and Records staff member, Melodie Cheney said.

The DASB funded three thousand dollars toward the event, which included three bands, Atomic Mint, Firme and DJ Carlos, and fourteen hundred dollars worth of pizza, soda, and bottled water, $950 for entertainment and $250 for flowers said DASB Vice President Les Leonardo.

The event was part of a global day of action against capitalism and a celebration of solidarity and resistance against local exploitation and repression.

“[Everyone] should get equal pay for equal work. If I was working here I would fight for equality,” student Gabby Martin-ez said.

A month after Part-time Faculty Equity Week, part-timers continue to spread the word of the inequities under which they are employed.

Part-timer, Omonike Weusi-Puryear, advocated the signatures for three petitions supporting the workers at De Anza, the part-time faculty and the elimination of the Bookstore’s use of clothing made in sweatshops.

Our modern celebration of May Day as a working class holiday evolved from the struggle for the eight-hour day in America, according to Paul Avrich, in his book, “The Haymarket Tragedy.” This struggle climaxed on May 1, 1886 with a nation-wide general strike. In Chicago, the center of the movement, the authorities used the outbreak of the Haymarket Incident to arrest the leading anarchist labor leaders.

Eight were brought to trial on what many said were false charges. The five who were sentenced to death are traditionally remembered on May Day as the Haymarket Martyrs.

Most countries around the world except the US and Canada recognize International Workers Day as an official holiday. May Day 2000 was the first time ever in which it was celebrated at De Anza College. Organizers feel very positive as they look ahead to future May Day celebrations.