AMERICA celebrates Labor Day (LD) this Monday, a holiday like that in Guyana on May 1, that annually pays tribute to the contributions of workers to the nation’s growth and productivity. Guyanese normally welcome the holiday as the last extended weekend of the summer and use it as a means for entertainment.

But unlike in Guyana, LD is observed on the first Monday of September with parades of working people and their families representing the labor unions. In NY, workers usually gather again on a Saturday two weeks later as they have been doing for decades with politicians in the forefront looking for unions’ endorsement for election (city primaries are on September 13 and general elections in November). I usually join my teachers union for this march ever since I was elected a shop steward some 20 years ago. The teachers’ union normally honors its members with a lot of goodies including breakfast and the event attracts thousands of West Indian teachers though I had not seen many Guyanese teachers (or even other Guyanese workers) turning out for the parade. I urge them to join the union march to strengthen the union. The LD parade allows us to unite with other groups to enhance our struggle for better working conditions and wages. Leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and politicians normally address the large gathering. The event is given wide coverage in newspapers, and on radio and television. Well- known Guyanese activist Chuck Mohan, a labor leader, is usually a part of every labor rally in the city liaising with other West Indians and organising workers. God bless him for no one works as hard he does on working class or immigrant issues.

For Guyanese and other Americans, Labor Day marks the end of the summer just like how Memorial Day (MD), also a holiday the last Monday of May, marks the beginning of the summer holidays. MD honors those soldiers who lost their lives in service to the nation in wars. At cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are decorated with flags and flowers. There are also parades and the President normally places a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier to recognise the contributions of all soldiers. The President would entertain selected families of fallen soldiers. People flock to various memorials like the Korean or Vietnam or WWII memorials. Several Guyanese lost their lives in the Vietnam War. And many visit the graves of loved ones.

While Memorial Day marks the opening of the beaches and other popular resort areas that are jam packed on that first summer weekend, LD is one last three-day weekend to enjoy the beaches and weekends. Schools normally open two days after LD but teachers report to schools the day after to prepare their classrooms to welcome the kids a day later.

LD is a big event for Guyanese and other Caribbean people. The West Indian Carnival and Parade is held on this day hence the reason why workers usually parade two weeks later. Big name politicians are usually the Grand Marshal. Mayor Bloomberg is the Grand Marshal this year. The parade is held in Brooklyn on Eastern Parkway and normally attracts close to one million people.

LD is a time of excitement and activities. Tens of thousands of Guyanese usually sport the Guyana flag or have bandanas emblazoned with the Guyana flag. People from other Caribbean countries do the same with their flags. Not everyone wants to be a part of the teeming and bustling crowd in Eastern Parkway. Some want peace and quiet. A lot of Guyanese in Queens and the Bronx normally spend LD at the parks where they play cricket or barbecue with friends and families. And some, like me, fly away on vacations taking advantage of the last weekend before school reopens.

Labor Day itself helps to boost the American economy with people going shopping. The carnival leads people to spend money on costumes, entertainment and food, boosting the economy. Calypsonians fly in from the Caribbean for weekend parties and entertainment shows. Several local Guyanese bands advertise shows at various night clubs (Naresa palace, De River, etc.) in Queens. While Guyanese are enjoying the holiday weekend, it would have been nice if they celebrate the real reason why the holiday was created and join the labor movement instead of making it only entertainment.
Yours truly,
VISHNU BISRAM