A Labor Day Round Up: Let’s Hear It For The Workers
Statement on Labor Day by US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez
WASHINGTON — Each year, Labor Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions that working men and women make to our nation, our economy and our collective prosperity. It gives us a chance to show gratitude for workers’ grit, dedication, ingenuity and strength, which define our nation’s character. At the Labor Department, it also provides an opportunity to reflect on how we can best serve and honor workers in return.
This year, we’re honoring workers by investing more than a $1 billion in job-driven training programs to give Americans the skills employers need. We’re honoring workers by promoting quality apprenticeships that will enable more people to “earn and learn.” We’re honoring workers, at President Obama’s direction, by developing new rules to give more workers access to overtime pay and increase the minimum wage for private-sector workers hired under federal contracts. We’re honoring workers by implementing a new life-saving rule to limit miners’ exposure to coal dust and move us closer to eliminating black lung disease and by taking the next steps toward protecting workers from inhaling high levels of crystalline silica.
But as a nation, we can do more to lift workers up, and to ensure that all hardworking people are able to climb ladders of opportunity and reach for the American dream. It’s time to raise the national minimum wage, so that no one working a full-time job has to live in poverty. It’s time to update our workplace policies to reflect the realities of the 21st century labor force and to support modern working families. It’s time to continue our nation’s long commitment to supporting unemployed workers by extending emergency unemployment compensation.
Our nation is in the midst of a strong economic recovery. Job growth has topped 200,000 for six consecutive months — the first such stretch since 1997. Businesses have added nearly 10 million jobs since February 2010, with 53 consecutive months of growth. I’m optimistic about where we’re headed — and I know we wouldn’t be where we are without the resilience, commitment and strength of American workers.
This Labor Day, let’s remember that hardworking men and women are the backbone of our country, and let’s redouble our efforts to uphold our nation’s great promise to them: that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can make it in America.
The emphasis is mine, and here’s why: This is Labor Secretary Perez’s first Labor Day speech–a fine tradition continued by Labor Secretaries for decades now, and this one, by most standards, is not bad. It says what you would expect from the Labor Secretary. Workers are great and we’re doing all we can to make sure they know that so they’ll keep on working.
But really, Secretary Perez? Couldn’t you have mentioned unions and the labor movement at least once?
Labor Day is an American holiday created by labor unions. It became a national holiday in 1894, and since then it has been celebrated on the first Monday in September, without fail. We celebrate the labor movement on Labor Day each year because working hard and playing by the rules (whose rules?) was not and never has been a ticket to success in America. It took the labor movement to gather enough strength to make sure hard working, rules-playing workers got a fair shake in the workplace.
So let’s look at what others are saying on this 160th anniversary of the American Labor Day weekend:
Robert Reich, Labor Secretary under Bill Clinton, created a video with cartoons for his Labor Day contribution. He mentions unions. (Bonus: PBS Frontline interview in which he talks about his job as Labor Secretary.)
Richard Reeves takes this time to call Labor Day “a farce”. (He has his reasons.)
Richard Trumka asks a question this Labor Day, and the AFL-CIO offers printable “Thank a Worker” cards
AFSCME president Lee A. Saunders gets tough on politicians who scapegoat unions. (It happens.)
Even Forbes gets in on it, with an essay by Steve Dunning entitled, “The Shame of Labor Day“. (Hint: Ronald Reagan started this mess.)
And, as I seem to do every year, let me just drag out a few of my own Labor Day columns. Whatever I might say today I’ve already said here and here and here.
But, hey, not everybody wants to celebrate. The Freedom Foundation (Not just any old Freedom Foundation, THE Freedom Foundation) is boycotting Labor Day by going in to work! Here’s CEO Tom McCabe:
“I can’t think of a problem in society that can’t be traced in some way back to the abuses of organized labor, and it would be hypocritical of us to take a day off on its behalf.”
Well, yeah! That’ll show us!
Hope your long weekend was a smash hit. If you were lucky enough to have all three days off, don’t forget to thank the union movement. Without unions fighting for your rights, you might never have had a day off, let alone a paid day off.
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Ramona Grigg
Ramona Grigg is a freelance columnist and blogger living in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.. She owns the liberal-leaning blog, Ramona's Voices, and is a contributor to Liberaland and on the masthead at Dagblog.
16 responses to A Labor Day Round Up: Let’s Hear It For The Workers
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Jeff Allen September 1st, 2014 at 09:01
When I first scanned the headline what I comprehended was “Labor Day Round up for the Workers”. What about launching a campaign to “Round up for the Workers” every Labor Day. It could start with those who we tip regularly. Most jobs that involve tipping are lower paying jobs and generally ones that don’t get holidays off either. Round up your tips or simply be more generous. Hopefully it is something that would extend beyond Labor Day and become a habit for most. Just a thought
Ramona Grigg September 2nd, 2014 at 08:16
Good idea, Jeff. I hate the idea of tipping but since it’s not going away any time soon, I agree that tipping should be generous. I never add a tip to my bill when I’m paying with my card, but leave the tip in cash on the table. I want it to go to the right person (people), and I don’t know where it goes when it’s included with my bill.
I think most restaurants would do just fine if they paid their waitstaff a decent wage and did away with tips. Workers shouldn’t have to worry at the end of their shift whether they’re going to have made enough to get through the day. We should be beyond that already.
Jeff Allen September 1st, 2014 at 09:01
When I first scanned the headline what I comprehended was “Labor Day Round up for the Workers”. What about launching a campaign to “Round up for the Workers” every Labor Day. It could start with those who we tip regularly. Most jobs that involve tipping are lower paying jobs and generally ones that don’t get holidays off either. Round up your tips or simply be more generous. Hopefully it is something that would extend beyond Labor Day and become a habit for most. Just a thought
Ramona Grigg September 2nd, 2014 at 08:16
Good idea, Jeff. I hate the idea of tipping but since it’s not going away any time soon, I agree that tipping should be generous. I never add a tip to my bill when I’m paying with my card, but leave the tip in cash on the table. I want it to go to the right person (people), and I don’t know where it goes when it’s included with my bill.
I think most restaurants would do just fine if they paid their waitstaff a decent wage and did away with tips. Workers shouldn’t have to worry at the end of their shift whether they’re going to have made enough to get through the day. We should be beyond that already.
uzza September 1st, 2014 at 10:29
Recognizing the “invaluable contributions that working men and women make to our nation” is like recognizing the contributions air makes to our breathing.
What contributions does a CEO of a ‘think tank’ make?
Here’s some stats from the New Economics Foundation:
“for every £1 (hospital cleaners) are paid, over £10 in social value is generated. childcare workers generate between £7 and £9.50 worth of benefits to society.”
But
“While collecting salaries of between £500,000 and £10 million, (investment bankers) destroy £7 of social value for every pound in value they generate.”
Dwendt44 September 1st, 2014 at 14:06
There have been studies that show similar results here, to bad most of the greediest capitalists don’t read them or, more likely, don’t care.
uzza September 1st, 2014 at 10:29
Recognizing the “invaluable contributions that working men and women make to our nation” is like recognizing the contributions air makes to our breathing.
What contributions does a CEO of a ‘think tank’ make?
Here’s some stats from the New Economics Foundation:
“for every £1 (hospital cleaners) are paid, over £10 in social value is generated. childcare workers generate between £7 and £9.50 worth of benefits to society.”
But
“While collecting salaries of between £500,000 and £10 million, (investment bankers) destroy £7 of social value for every pound in value they generate.”
Dwendt44 September 1st, 2014 at 14:06
There have been studies that show similar results here, to bad most of the greediest capitalists don’t read them or, more likely, don’t care.
Larry Schmitt September 1st, 2014 at 10:59
I saw a comment somewhere else that “good companies don’t need unions.” But good workers do. Unions weren’t created for the benefit of the employers, but the employees.
Dwendt44 September 1st, 2014 at 14:04
What ‘good companies’ and unions working together accomplish are decent working conditions, no strikes, cordial relations, reasoned disputes, and a loyal work force.
Larry Schmitt September 1st, 2014 at 14:24
But the companies wouldn’t have done it without the unions to pull them kicking and screaming, especially at the beginning.
Larry Schmitt September 1st, 2014 at 10:59
I saw a comment somewhere else that “good companies don’t need unions.” But good workers do. Unions weren’t created for the benefit of the employers, but the employees.
Dwendt44 September 1st, 2014 at 14:04
What ‘good companies’ and unions working together accomplish are decent working conditions, no strikes, cordial relations, reasoned disputes, and a loyal work force.
Larry Schmitt September 1st, 2014 at 14:24
But the companies wouldn’t have done it without the unions to pull them kicking and screaming, especially at the beginning.
labman57 September 1st, 2014 at 12:49
It appears that fiscal conservatives and tea party folks would love to turn the clock back 100+ years on wage-earning Americans.
If corporate shills among Republican-controlled state and federal legislatures had their way, all labor unions would be banned and all federal and state labor laws regulating workplace conditions — including child labor laws — would be repealed. Workers’ comp, overtime, paid vacation, health benefits, sick leave, pension funds, Social Security, minimum wage, etc. … all would be distant memories.
labman57 September 1st, 2014 at 12:49
It appears that fiscal conservatives and tea party folks would love to turn the clock back 100+ years on wage-earning Americans.
If corporate shills among Republican-controlled state and federal legislatures had their way, all labor unions would be banned and all federal and state labor laws regulating workplace conditions — including child labor laws — would be repealed. Workers’ comp, overtime, paid vacation, health benefits, sick leave, pension funds, Social Security, minimum wage, etc. … all would be distant memories.