Labor Day

What is Labor Day? Why do we celebrate it?

Honestly I had to go look it up.

Who would of thought that it is a holiday to celebrate the contributions of the American worker. Brought about by the organized labor movement at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th Century.

Having been in a union and having many members of my family in the United Auto Workers, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the Carpenters and Operators Union, Teamsters, AFL/CIO, I understand the struggle that made this holiday possible.

So thanks for all of those who came before us and made it possible.

Unions gave many folks a much better life. Brought about workplace safety regulations, better pay, shorter work hours, and that list goes on.

But I wonder if the American worker is actually losing ground now. I don't remember the last time that there was a strike that caught my attention. Is it because big business is kinder and gentler and giving up on negotiations more easily? I don't think that is the case, I think that unions have slowly had their bargaining positions eroded over the past 30 years.

If you look at the beginning of this downturn, it was with the Air Traffic Controllers. They went on strike, and the negotiations that they received were, "Go back to work or lose your jobs". They stayed on strike and were all fired. They lost effectiveness and that is why there are only approximately 11% of all workers in Unions.

I don't have a solution, or know if a solution is needed, but I think one is.

If something is not done, wages and benefits will stagnate and decline. All the while, factory's are moved to countries with absolutely no labor laws and folks work for pennies a day.

You cannot legislate morals and proper behavior so at some point there will be another "labor movement" and the American working man will regain some of his glory that is celebrated on Labor Day.

So think about that while your drinking beer and barbecuing on Monday.

God Bless America!!!