Labour Day--who Is Included

[Scott]

Sometimes I wish the country could leave things alone. This is supposed to be National Labour Day, but I am working and was told that "we are not labour!". Yes, it is a professional place, but that said, I get paid a wage, no special benefits, have to work the pre-set hours (plus whatever else they say). And it's interesting, us 'workers' aren't labour, but the owner is taking the day off. Where did this crappy idea come from?

(Got into a little trouble when I said something in reply to not being labour, that no I guess slaves aren't labour! )

[PeaceBlondie]

Scott, since you are spelling labour British style, I guess you are not American. We do not celebrate Labor Day on May 1st because we practically invented the day. Then anarchists and socialists were involved with the police in the Haymarket riot. Maybe you could use this for your classes today: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_riots

[Neeranam]

Scott, since you are spelling labour British style, I guess you are not American. We do not celebrate Labor Day on May 1st because we practically invented the day. Then anarchists and socialists were involved with the police in the Haymarket riot. Maybe you could use this for your classes today: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_riots

It started in Canada.

[Scott]

Oh, PB, you are astute. I sometimes spell things 'differently' just to confuse people--it seems it has worked. If you travel about 1000 miles north of your home state, that's where I am from!

One of the things that makes this so silly is that school isn't in session. It's stupid to have people there. It's actually just me and all the Thai Teachers, since most of our foreign teachers are on summer break. I know a little about the background of Labor--or Labour Day--and I can't figure out why people here have to mess with everything. This should be a day off for workers--and they may say what they want, but I work for a living!

[Theyreallrubbish]

Oh, PB, you are astute. I sometimes spell things 'differently' just to confuse people--it seems it has worked. If you travel about 1000 miles north of your home state, that's where I am from!

One of the things that makes this so silly is that school isn't in session. It's stupid to have people there. It's actually just me and all the Thai Teachers, since most of our foreign teachers are on summer break. I know a little about the background of Labor--or Labour Day--and I can't figure out why people here have to mess with everything. This should be a day off for workers--and they may say what they want, but I work for a living!

At least they don't make you work on Christmas day as its not a Thai holiday then make you work on Bhuddist holiday days as you're not Bhuddist! Had that one tried out on me!

[BFD]

I guess I lucked out, in that I actually work today but have tomorrow off. I'd much prefer a 4-day weekend to having Thursday off and have to work Friday before a long weekend.

Wait, you DO get Coronation Day off, right?!

BFD!

[jdinasia]

Most people have to work today other than banks and gov't offices. Hard to believe that people at a school that get so many weeks off/year actually whine about having to work today.

[Scott]

Excuse me jd, but I get no special school days. Whether school is in session or not, I have to work. And that includes Saturdays, if they decide they want me to work, which they did for 3 months continuously and then added Sunday, which meant 3 months without 1 single day off, so excuse me if I whine!

[burman]

Excuse me jd, but I get no special school days. Whether school is in session or not, I have to work. And that includes Saturdays, if they decide they want me to work, which they did for 3 months continuously and then added Sunday, which meant 3 months without 1 single day off, so excuse me if I whine!

Time for a change of employers isn't it?

[jbowman1993]

If a man accepts working 3 months without a single day off, then he is a doormat and deserves whatever he gets. Grow a sack...

Edited May 1, 2008 by jbowman1993

[soundman]

Most people have to work today other than banks and gov't offices. Hard to believe that people at a school that get so many weeks off/year actually whine about having to work today.

Actually, most Gov't offices are open today.They don't consider themselves labour.

[BFD]

Most people have to work today other than banks and gov't offices. Hard to believe that people at a school that get so many weeks off/year actually whine about having to work today.

I'm just judging by traffic this morning, but I'd say you're dead wrong with your 'most people' there. Honestly, a trip that takes 40 minutes every single weekday took 15 this morning at the same time, so something is indeed a little different.

Also, until you've been a grade 8 teacher, please don't question the teacher's need to whine.

BFD!

[Scott]

That's my point, who came up with this silly definition of labour? I've never heard of this anywhere else. I mean, if you are an employee, then I would think you are a labourer. Anywhere else have this kind of definition?

By the way I have a sack, and I worked because it was necessary for that time--I take exception to those people who somehow decide that teacher's really don't have to work.

[jasreeve17]

Most people have to work today other than banks and gov't offices. Hard to believe that people at a school that get so many weeks off/year actually whine about having to work today.

I'm just judging by traffic this morning, but I'd say you're dead wrong with your 'most people' there. Honestly, a trip that takes 40 minutes every single weekday took 15 this morning at the same time, so something is indeed a little different.

Also, until you've been a grade 8 teacher, please don't question the teacher's need to whine.

BFD!

Traffic was heavy around Thonburi, but I think it was people leaving on their long weekends.

I agree with Scott in regard to the labor day (used yank spelling...) confusion. Only poorly paid labourers get the day off??? Do they get paid for this day off?

p.s. BFD, you've been on this forum long enough to relalize that one never bothers to reply to / take the bait of a certain moronic and antaganistic Prawet based poster...

Edited May 1, 2008 by jasreeve17

[PeaceBlondie]

That's my point, who came up with this silly definition of labour? I've never heard of this anywhere else. I mean, if you are an employee, then I would think you are a labourer. Anywhere else have this kind of definition?

By the way I have a sack, and I worked because it was necessary for that time--I take exception to those people who somehow decide that teacher's really don't have to work.

I will take a stab at it, having been a "commissioned officer of the IRS" for decades. Thai govt. teachers are government officers, with shiny white uniforms, shoulder boards, big caps. etc. That is professional, higher in rank than mere labourers. Our labor contract (union-management) defined me as a professional, not a mere clerk.

And Scott, I think you may be considered managerial. No mere teacher.

I will pass on the discussion of scrotum. Or is the plural scrota, not that any man has two?

[Ijustwannateach]

Actually, there are a number of government positions that specifically do NOT get Labour Day off.

[LinkPopularity]

lol ... why the hel_l they call it labour day if they don't work ?

typical !

[Scott]

I wonder if any other countries follow this silly stuff. I've worked in a number of countries (14 or so), and I seem to remember always getting--or giving--the day off to employees. Just never heard this "you're not labor" argument.

So do the gov't employees who have been transferred to 'inactive' posts have to actually go to their inactive post today?

[BFD]

Most people have to work today other than banks and gov't offices. Hard to believe that people at a school that get so many weeks off/year actually whine about having to work today.

I'm just judging by traffic this morning, but I'd say you're dead wrong with your 'most people' there. Honestly, a trip that takes 40 minutes every single weekday took 15 this morning at the same time, so something is indeed a little different.

Also, until you've been a grade 8 teacher, please don't question the teacher's need to whine.

BFD!

Traffic was heavy around Thonburi, but I think it was people leaving on their long weekends.

I agree with Scott in regard to the labor day (used yank spelling...) confusion. Only poorly paid labourers get the day off??? Do they get paid for this day off?

p.s. BFD, you've been on this forum long enough to relalize that one never bothers to reply to / take the bait of a certain moronic and antaganistic Prawet based poster...

Very true Scott! Thanks for the reminder; sometimes I get a wee bit hot-headed!

BFD!

[burman]

Just never heard this "you're not labor" argument.

You should've countered with 'Well then, I shouldn't be labouring', walked out and gone to the pub.

[LooseCannon]

Celebrates the ' 8 hour day' - first held in 1856 after the 8 hour day was introduced into the building industry & first known as the ' 8 Hour Procession'.

Gazetted as a paid public holiday in 1879, the name was changed to 'Labour Day' in the 1940's.

One of the greatest achievements of the trade union movement. Of course this was in Australia, where strong trade unions have had a long & distinguished history for fighting for the rights of the working classes.

If you are being exploited at your workplace, I suggest you join a union.

For English teachers in Thailand, I think that you will need to form your own union. Don't complain about it if you are not prepared to do something about it.

[PhilHarries]

If a man accepts working 3 months without a single day off, then he is a doormat and deserves whatever he gets. Grow a sack...

If a man has never worked three months, 12 hour days, seven days a week he has never worked a refinery revamp project.

Knackering, but the money is great!

May 1st is a public holiday here in VN and many people took it. Even small businesses like cafes closed. For me an odd mis week day off is a pain in the proverbial. Can't do anything with it except try and tack it onto the weekend taking a day's holiday.

[TAWP]

We have 'national holiday' in the contract so yesterday was a day off - and any other of the days marked as such in a Thai calender.