On this day, 21 April 1856, stonemasons in Melbourne, Australia, went on strike demanding a maximum 8-hour working day – down from 10 hours per day Monday-Friday with 8 hours on Saturday.
They marched from their construction site, the Old Quadrangle building at Melbourne University, brandishing a banner demanding “8 hours work, 8 hours recreation, 8 hours rest” (pictured).
The workers were extremely well organised, and were soon successful in achieving their goal, with no loss of pay, for workers engaged in public works in the city. They celebrated on Monday 12 May, the Whit Monday holiday, with a parade of nearly 700 people from 19 trades.
To learn more about Australian working class history, check out our podcast episode about the Australian IWW: https://workingclasshistory.com/2019/01/28/e19-the-iww-in-australia/https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1406281626223650/?type=3
Up now on my eBay! Classic Archie comic from 1978! Archie’s TV Laugh-Out #56 featuring classic Dan DeCarlo art! Also up for grabs: my indie comics collection and random Radio Comix books! My house is super small, and I am still selling off thirty years’ worth of collectibles to raise money for ongoing back taxes & various upcoming large expenses (plus, work is still closed), so every little bit helps. Thanks for looking & sharing!
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