September 6, 2004
LABOR DAY: WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE CELEBRATING?
As I sit here in my office plowing thru some work that needs to get done, I thought take a little break by doing some research into the origins of what's keeping everyone else out of the office today.
Labor Day is celebrated in the United States (and Canada) on the first Monday in September, and is meant to honor laborís contributions to society. Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and union leader, generally receives credit for suggesting a holiday to honor workers. In 1882, McGuire chose the September date to give workers a holiday midway through the long stretch between Independence Day (July 4 in the U.S.) and Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November). The first Labor Day observance was held in New York City on September 5, 1882. That year, thousands of workers marched in a parade from New York City's city hall to Union Square. Afterward, they gathered in a park with their families for a giant picnic and speeches.
In 1887, Oregon became the first U.S. state to make Labor Day a legal holiday. Other states soon followed. Early on in the holiday's history, Labor Day parades were actually demonstrations in support of an eight-hour workday. Then, in 1894, the United States Congress passed legislation that made Labor Day a federal holiday. That year, railway workers in Pullman, IL, had gone on strike to protest wage cuts. President Grover Cleveland sent federal troops to Illinois to end the strike, which resulted in the deaths and jailing of many of the railway union's members and leaders. Congress and the President hoped to pacify labor with the holiday.
For some time Labor Day remained an occasion not only to commemorate laborís contributions but also to draw public attention to the plight of workers and the struggle of labor unions to improve working conditions. Parades in which workers march with their local union and at which labor leaders give speeches are no longer a major feature of Labor Day celebrations in many U.S. towns and cities. Nowadays the three-day weekend simply seems to signal the end of summer vacations and the start of a new academic/school year.
Posted by Mikal at September 6, 2004 1:07 PM
| TrackBack
I have worked for a Labor Union in various positions since 1975. Generally, unions have a bad name and reputation. Some of it has been earned. I recall some not so reputable events back in the 70's and 80's. However, times change and I am very proud of the work we do.
When we attempt to organize a company, it is always because we have been approached by workers who are concerned with their working conditions, benefits and/or pay. That is how we get our foot in the door. There are companies which provide their employees with good pay, good benefits and an avenue to air their grievances. Then there are those companies who are only concerned with their profits. Unfortunately, I have seen too many cases where workers are grossly mistreated. Can you imagine not being allowed to leave your position on the line to use the restroom? You either lose your job or wet yourself...and no, I am not kidding. I have seen workers with carpel tunnel so bad, their hands are useless. In this day and age, it is a shame employers are allowed to treat employees in this manner. I could site many more examples of horrendous workplace abuses. That is why unions are still here.
My union, just one of the many in the AFL-CIO has 1.4 million members nationwide. People have said that unions aren't necessary anymore, we have laws to protect workers. Unfortunately, that is not true. If you believe that, good for you...you work for a good employer.
Has anyone really read about the new overtime pay takeaway? The current Administration is cutting the pay of American workers through changing the rules that govern overtime pay. The real impact of the change will make it easier for employers to declare jobs exempt from overtime pay through broadening exempt job classifications.
This could mean a major pay cut for hundreds of thousands of working families who could be forced to work overtime, forced to spend more time away from their families but receive no extra pay.
Today, 45 million Americans have no healthcare coverage, 40 million more have inadequate coverage and about 3,000 people lose health insurance coverage every day. The overwhelming majority of the uninsured and the under-insured are young working families...moms and dads who get up and go to work every day, working for low wages and no benefits.
Every day these families have to make a choice between food on the table or health care protection. Between school clothes...and a medical exam. Between staying alive today...or keeping their health for a lifetime. Todayís working families face the risk of poverty, poor health and economic insecurity as a permanent condition of life. Behind half of the nation's 1.5 million bankruptcy filings, a serious medical problem is a contributing factor.
What our nation needs are the industry-wide, multi-employer health care plans that are provided through union contracts. These plans reduce costs to the individual employer, allow employees to change jobs within the industry without losing coverage and give workers a voice in their benefit plan through joint labor-management administration. The union advocates a ìPlay or Pay Systemî ó one that requires employers to provide a standard health insurance package to workers or pay into a government sponsored system.
As long as there are employers who are unconcerned with the welfare of their workforce, there will be unions to protect them.
To me, the bottom line is...labor creates ALL wealth. Sure, I would want my employer to be profitable. That is job security for me. But it can be done the right way.
Okay, I'll get off my soapbox, but first...let's hear it for the creator of the 8 hour workday....UNIONS!!!
