Can we say Happy Labor Day?
I also posted last year around this time about the gender gap in job equity. Come over here for more.
That post also was targeted on the ERA which has met the standards of our constitution to become an amendment, and is now waiting for Congress to act on it.
And some more posts from my blog years...
Mine laborers at the end of their shift.
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Some folks have said unions don't have much place these days in the job market. But I certainly cheered for the workers at Amazon who formed a union, as well as those in Starbucks. The working conditions did need to be improved. And this is the only way a group of workers can have a voice.
1933 fresco mural by Diego Rivera at the Detroit Institute of Art
Happy Labor Day America!
The first Labor Day was held in 1882. Its origins stem from the desire of the Central Labor Union to create a holiday for workers. It became a federal holiday in 1894. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with a street parade to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labor organizations. After the parade, a festival was to be held to amuse local workers and their families. In later years, prominent men and women held speeches. This is less common now, but is sometimes seen in election years. One of the reasons for choosing to celebrate this on the first Monday in September, and not on May 1, which is common in the rest of the world, was to add a holiday in the long gap between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
And an inspiring quote:
Hate has talked so loudly for so long. Greed has talked so loudly for so long. Liars have talked so loud for so long.
Love has to stop whispering.
- Marianne Williamson
...for American businesses, Labor Day is just another day to have a sale.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet people like me remember...as well as our local hospital's nurses that just spent days picketing for better conditions while they voted whether to strike or not. (I haven't heard the latest news yet.)
DeleteHappy Labor Day! The quote at the end is so true! Enough of the hate and greed! Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
ReplyDeleteThat's what peaceful people all around the globe want. More love. Shout it out!
DeleteMy grandson James is in the electricians union now. Another job that needs a union to get good wages. My father, also an electrician, firmly opposed unions, and made less than he could have for most of his life. The only thing that helped him was when he went to work aa an electrician for the government.
ReplyDeleteOne of my sons had been an electrician and in the union, but I'm not sure he has continued since working with a big phone company. I think unions do good things for the workers, and may improve conditions as well as pay scales.
DeleteI just saw his Facebook post that he's a union member still!
DeleteRemember when we were told to look for the union label? I haven’t seen one in years. Everything is made overseas.
ReplyDeleteI missed being urged to purchase union made goods. I do still look for things made in America, but have to make compromises for the sake of my budget.
DeleteThank you so much for this important and needed post. It's a shame that Mariane Williamson tarnished her brand with sort of silly political activity at a time that is so significant and important for all of us and for the future of our country. Aloha Dear
ReplyDeleteI was really disappointed in the things Williamson has done lately, but perhaps she thought she was doing the right thing.
DeleteSome people don't like unions. They are good enough to watch your back and make sure things are right.
ReplyDeleteHaving some oversight to make sure things are right seems to be a good thing for human society. How it's organized is another thing completely!
DeleteEvery time I see that miner photo, I realize that I never would have made it.
ReplyDeleteIt's time for the workers to be justly compensated while the billionaires settle for a bit less.
ReplyDelete