IN 2020, the sight of hundreds donning red was a potent symbol of solidarity with the nurses, transport workers, shop staff, and countless others who risked their lives to keep us safe and fed during the Covid pandemic.
 
We recognised then, as we do now, that a society driven by profit and austerity leaves us dangerously exposed. The pandemic laid bare the essential nature of labour and the profound inequalities that persist.
 
In the years since, we have witnessed a growing understanding of the power of collective organising that culminated in the recent strike wave.
 
From the initial red for workers campaign, we saw the potential to build something bigger, and the seeds of Strike Map were born.
 
Since then, our project has grown and grown not simply by providing a tool to archive industrial action but by connecting and supporting workers in their struggle.
 
We believe that it has become a crucial resource for understanding the pulse of resistance against exploitation and injustice.
 
Furthermore, Organise Now! has emerged as a sister project to the map, empowering rank-and-file trade unionists to build power from the ground up. It embodies the understanding that lasting change comes not from above, but from the collective strength of those directly affected by the injustices we seek to overcome.
 
We also took part in a number of events, from rank-and-file conferences to strike fundraisers, and even launched our industrial unionism pamphlet series, selling hundreds of copies of essential works from trade unionists in history.
 
The successes of Red for Workers, Strike Map.org and Organise Now! demonstrate the hunger for connection, information, and co-ordinated action within our movement.
 
This May Day, we want to build on this momentum. We want you to wear red not only to remember the sacrifices of the past and the heroic efforts of key workers during the pandemic, but to signal our unwavering commitment to a future where all workers are treated with dignity and respect.
 
We want you to wear red as a call to action, a visual declaration that the lessons of the past five years have not been forgotten.
 
The challenges we face remain immense. From the ongoing cost-of-living crisis to the climate emergency, from the erosion of public services to the attacks on trade union rights, the need for a united and powerful working-class movement has never been greater.
 
As Ian Lavery, a lifelong trade unionist, recognised in 2020, May Day is a vital moment to celebrate our movement and ensure its relevance for future generations. This year, we take that sentiment a step further. We are not just celebrating; we are mobilising.
 
John McDonnell MP powerfully stated five years ago that the pandemic made May Day “extremely poignant,” highlighting the essential role of workers as creators of wealth and carers. That poignancy remains, but it must now translate into a renewed determination to fight for the society we deserve.
 
This May Day, we urge you to do more than just wear red. Use the tools we have built. Explore Strike Map.org to understand the battles being fought across the nation and find ways to offer your support, such as visiting a picket line.
 
Get active in your union, and if you don’t know where to start, get in touch with Organise Now!
 
Join your local strike club to connect with fellow activists and plan how to effect change in your community and workplace.
 
This May Day, let the sea of red be not just on our screens but on our streets and in our workplaces and let this be a testament to our enduring solidarity.
 
This May Day, wear red, write a message of solidarity, take a picture and share your solidarity using the hashtag #RedForWorkers encourage your co-workers to do the same.
 
Let it be a clear message to the powerful that we are organised, we are united, and we are determined to build a brighter tomorrow for all workers.
 
Workers of the world, wear red! The struggle continues, and together, we will win.
 
Robert Poole and Henry Fowler are the founders of Red for Workers and Strikemap.org.