A Labor Day Perspective

As we celebrate Labor Day today, let us take the opportunity to thank the leaders of organized labor for making life in this country a little more fair for workers. In these days of economic problems, job losses, corporate mergers and downsizing, it is comforting to know that the labor movement is still alive and well. Yes, the movement has lost membership over the years, and yes, labor has had to become more 'flexible' and adaptive to the many challenges faced by the American business community. As the American empire changes, labor will continue to change.

But if it were not for pioneers such as Samuel Gompers, Walter Reuther, James Hoffa and many others, the middle class as we know it would not exist. Children would still be forced to work in sweatshops for long hours and paltry wages, instead of pursuing a quality education. Workers would continue to work in unsafe and undesirable conditions while company managers would be able to do whatever they wanted to in order to meet production quotas. There would be no such thing as 15 minute breaks, sick days, vacation days, and personal business days. Holidays would be just another work day. Tuition payment or reimbursement would not exist.In cases where there were problems with management, if there were no unions, unfair labor practices would be the norm instead of the exception. If there were no labor unions, there would little or no protections for workers, OSHA would not exist, healthcare would not be provided for any worker and pensions would not exist.

So whenever someone says to you that labor is the problem with American business, tell them that the life most of us live today is because of the labor movement. Tell them that this day off from work that we celebrate would not be possible if not for the vision, courage, sacrifices and dedication to a better working environment by our brothers and sisters in the labor movement.

As a grateful citizen, I say 'Thank You' organized labor.

Solidarity Forever.

Happy Labor Day!