Well, today is May Day, traditionally a day of worker’s rights. There were rallies throughout California for labor issues and I figure it’s an appropriate time for me to comment on my observations.
One of the teens around me right now mentioned that his work has started a month-to-month hire and fire policy. Every month, they hire everybody and fire them again at the end of the month. No one has any clarity on whether they will be re-hired. It sneaks around the labor laws designed to protect workers by deliberately keeping them precarious, temporary workers with no guarantees.
I’m also keenly aware that the 8‑hour day is non-existent here. All stores close at 9pm every single day, it seems. Many, many people are working those as 12-hour days. Doug says Apple started it. He remembers T‑shirts that said “80 hours a week: that’s all we ask” worn by Apple employees when he was growing up here.
And I hear Rudd has announced the IR proposal for Australia’s opposition party. Haven’t had a chance to read much on that and would welcome any brief analyses.
As usual, I’m not planning to celebrate Beltaine today. I go by the cross-quarter and make it solar or make it the full-moon closest to that cross-quarter depending on how I’m feeling. NASA says the full moon is right about now and since it’s conveniently May 1, I imagine there are lots of celebrations out there tonight. However, it being a Tuesday today, we’re planning on going to FireDrums on the weekend instead, since it’s both Cinqo de Mayo and the cross-quarter according to Archaeoastronomy.
Whereever you are and whatever you celebrate, may your wishes come true and your dreams be refreshing and joyous.