In socialist countries, May Day is celebrated with a holiday. in China they have a three-day public holiday but in Australia the workers day barely gets a mention on the TV news.
In Australia, workers, trade unionists, and progressive people get together in cities and major towns to march, celebrate and reiterate the power of the working class.
This year, May Day occurs amidst a federal election campaign with a backdrop of heightened political activity and awareness. In Sydney this year the organisers, Unions NSW, focused narrowly on Give Morrison the Boot which ties in nicely with the ALP campaign. The ALP was described by V. I Lenin as the labour lieutenants of capital. Their job is to channel the working class and its allies away from dangerous revolutionary thoughts and actions and into hopes and votes for mild reforms of the parliamentary talking house. And to that, the opening speaker was federal ALP MP, Plibersek who gave the ALP campaign talking points and received polite applause before she departed in her commonwealth car.
The next speaker was from the Maritime Union of Australia who announced to thunderous applause that the workers at Port Botany were not at work but were enjoying the day’s celebrations . Responding to the Morrison governments talk of war, the delegate reminded us of the MUA s glorious history in promoting peace with actions against the Japanese in 1937 and the U.S. war on Vietnam. She reminded us of the role of the working class as the most advanced group in political thinking for inequality , climate action, racism and its international role.
The MUA speaker’s staunch, ambitious words contrasted starkly with the mealy-mouthed words and lack of vision of the ALP. The reaction of the audience reflected this in the cheers and chants. The people of Australia face a new stark reality and are rapidly learning. Many realise that a vote rarely changes their lives as the billionaire class makes and breaks rules, which ever parliamentary party is in power.
