Laboring

Today is Labor Day in the United States.  It specifically rose out of the early labor (union) movement in New York City during the late 19th century.

I am an unequivocal supporter of labor unions. I am a lifetime member of the National Education Association, the largest union in the country with about 3 million members. Proudly, I am also a member of the Maryland Education Ass'n and the Arizona Education Ass'n.  I was elected to serve three terms as the president of my local, the Education Association of St. Mary's County (MD). 

I refuse to give my money to huge corporations, like Walmart, who intimidate  their workers upon attempts to unionize.  Some people argue that I'm wrong-headed for this practice since the people who work there depend on those jobs and I am somehow denying them their income. Poppycock!  The same could have been said of the people who worked in sweatshops and child laborers more than a century ago. (Did you know that Walmart employees make up the largest group of people with a job who receive food stamps and other public assistance?)

It was unions who fought for the 40 hour work week, health benefits, safe working conditions and the minimum wage.  I hope all Americans who are attending parades, picnics, barbecues, a day at the beach or even just a relaxing day off at home understand that this day is about more than the Labor Day sales at their favorite stores.  It's more than a day to purchase a new car, television or stove. It's more than a day to crack open a beer and eat hot dogs.  It's a day to celebrate the history of the labor movement and the unions which fought so hard to provide a decent and honorable way of life for this country's citizens.