FOTLU proclaims the eight-hour workday

Background. The Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions (FOTLU) was a federation of labor unions created on November 15, 1881, at Turner Hall in Pittsburgh. Its membership hovered around 25,000, and the federation organized almost no members and issued no charters to new unions. At its October 1884 convention, FOTLU attempted to reinvigorate itself by adopting a resolution pushing for establishment of the eight-hour day. More broadly, the eight-hour day movement originated in the Industrial Revolution in Britain, where industrial production in large factories transformed working life.

The 1884 Resolution. At its October 1884 convention, FOTLU adopted a resolution pushing for the establishment of the eight-hour day. The resolution stated that eight hours would constitute a legal day's labor from and after May 1, 1886. It recommended that labor organizations throughout the jurisdiction direct their laws to conform to this resolution by the time named. This action set a deadline for legislative or organizational compliance.

Legacy and Commemoration. The date associated with the eight-hour day movement, May 1, became known as May Day or Labour Day. The American Federation of Labor later chose this date to commemorate a general strike that began on May 1, 1886. While Labor Day in North America was established in September, May 1 became a yearly commemoration inspiring workers to have their first stoppage, distinct from the September holiday.