Published 02 Sep, 2013
As we come off the heels of celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and begin celebrating the contributions of workers this Labor Day, we are reminded that we still have so much more to do to further advance the American worker.
Workers have built and moved this country since the beginning and continue to do so everyday. Our members are known for their skills, tenacity and risking their lives while working, such as those who worked through Hurricane Sandy to keep the cities operating.
Labor Day is not just another day off, but a time to reflect on those who fought for us to have a 40-hour work week, weekends off and numerous other rights we have today.
Workers have achieved so much but we can’t ignore the attacks and threats on our rights today from right to work legislation to the corporations that continuously take advantage of their workers to increase their profits.
Nor can we ignore the people who are working longer hours and possibly multiple jobs just to put food on the table.
But we are seeing workers rise for a voice on the job, such as the dealers in Las Vegas, the bus drivers in Texas and in Miami who all recognized the importance of a union.
We have seen fast food-workers stage a nation wide walk out this past Thursday and Walmart workers doing the same late last year to demand a voice on the job.
As we celebrate the contributions of workers this Labor Day, let us remember we must continue to preserve and stand up for what we have, and create those opportunities for all American workers.