Many people are planning for the May Day, or International Labor Day holidays, and yet few are thinking of or even know the origin of the festival - the tough fight by US workers for eight-hour workdays and massive strikes like those in Chicago in the late 19th century.

And even fewer people now associate the day with workers' rights, their solidarity and the respect for workers.

Unlike decades ago when urban children dreamed of becoming a "glorious" factory worker, such jobs are now looked down upon.