Labor Day - A Reminder for Today’s Workers What Unions Have Done and Could Do Again

The best possible way to celebrate Labor Day this year would be to help secure a better future for workers in the US. 

“Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”
-US Department of Labor

A Brief History

When studying the history of labor in the US, you will see that we came from dark times where an entire family would have to work just to survive. You may remember famous images of small children covered in soot. Then workers united against the greed of the wealthy and carved out fair wages and better working conditions. With the rise of unions in the US, union or not, a 40 hour a week worker could provide a decent living to a family. 

Today’s US Workers

We are in a time once again where the greed of the wealthy and a coordinated manipulative campaign to make workers turn against other workers - and against things that would benefit them - has plagued US workers again.  Together, we can help these workers off the merry-go-around and show them that we can all rise up and move mountains again. It won’t take the bloody fight of generations past but it will take real effort from each of us. 

How You Can Help

Take the time to understand what a union is at its base and the values it stands for and then spread those values. A great source of information for yourself about union values can be found at oraflcio.org . Understand that people including ourselves have been manipulated systematically for possibly our entire lives. Just because an individual takes a stance against labor or other workers, doesn’t make them an enemy - and perhaps that’s not the challenge you take on. Perhaps you spread the values of unions in your circles. Someone doesn’t have to be in the construction trade to join a union. A union can be formed in any workplace in the US. Start the conversation, let them know unions are simply working people standing together, and then give them this information (at https://oraflcio.org/why-join-a-union) to pursue better in the place they work.

Brothers and Sisters, cheers! This year, while enjoying your camping trip, BBQ, or other three-day weekend plans, talk to someone you know about the benefits you enjoy because you work in a union. And as always, please spread the golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated in our workplaces.