Gaining the Eight Hour Day
"Eight hours labour, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest"
Under this slogan, the building workers of Melbourne fought a successful campaign to shorten their working week from 60 to 48 hours.
The building unions worked hard to convince employers of the benefits of an eight hour day. Finally, on March 26 1856, a meeting was held attended by building workers and employers and the following motion was moved:
"This meeting is of the opinion that the time has arrived when the system of eight hours per day should be introduced into the building trades, and that the laborious nature of the trade, and the continued exposure to the excessive heat of the climate, loudly calls for such a reform."
The motion was passed unanimously and the Eight Hour campaign was won.
This was a world first which spurred on other workers to organise and campaign for improved conditions of work.
Our Labour Day holiday commemorates this victory for workers.
The Eight Hour Day banner symbolised the
struggle for equitable work hours
