Albuquerque, NM

I tried to find some good labor day clips. Nada. Fact is looking at labor history in the USA doesn’t seem in vogue in an era where unions are bombasted, workers right continually diminish as quickly as the USA jobs. Large corporations want to bury this history. Stores remain open and fewer people even get to have the day off. Do you know the story? DO you care?

I write this to as a tribute to all American workers past and present. Those who dedicated their lives through constant work, and often hardships to keep are country vibrant, propserous, and free. Those who fought for justice, a reasonable work week, rights for each other, and against child labor. These values and benefits are being eroded and neglected in today’s labor force. Wealth rotates around the top while workers have to carry the burdens of inequity.
When my grandmother was 12, she went to work in the garment industry in NYC. When she was a little older she joined the workers who went on strike. The International Garment Workers Union grew out of that. In the sixites she retired with a pension. Check your big box stores now: where is the union? WHat rights do retail workers possess? Who protects those workers? I used to have a statue of liberty and a union pin right next to it, having grown up that both were symbols of freedom.

At my part time job now, they say we workers are partners in the company, however I once was bluntly told that I have the right to continue working as they want, or I have the right to quit. They also have a long list of ways to fire us quick. Where is the partnership in that relationship?

Honor the workers who built America, and those who keep it going today. Call upon our leaders to once again cherish labor, American labor, and create a new path for American growth and prosperity.
1 day for barbeques and play, does not work or address issues all year long. Command your power again and come together to build a new America where Americans can have work, good jobs, and rights again. Happt LABOR day.