On Labor Day it seems that most of the country has forgotten what we celebrate.
The US Dept. Of Labor defines it thusly on their web page:
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
Why do we celebrate this?
Prior to the labor movement:
- Workers often worked 12 hour days, 7 days a week.
- Little or no consideration was given to worker safety. If you got hurt, then you were out of work.
- There were no sick days, or vacation days.
- Children as young as six were working in the field and in the factory for fractions what their adult co-workers were paid.
Today, thanks to the labor movement:
- 8 hour workdays, with a maximum of 40 hours
- Regulations regarding worker safety, and compensation for injured workers
- Sick leave and vacation leave, oftentimes paid.
- Child labor is largely illegal
On this day, we celebrate the workers who built this country.
On this day, we celebrate the ones who fought and died for the rights of workers.
On this day, we celebrate the workers who continue to organize and fight to keep these rights.
Here in Missouri, we're facing another challenge to our labor rights. The so called "Right To Work" movement. Don't be fooled by the rhetoric. What it really is is the "Right To Be Paid Less" movement.
Their argument is that no one should be forced to join a Labor Union. Employers should be allowed to hire non-union workers in a union shop.
On it's face this seems pretty awesome. Let's say that Joe Worker is hired by ABC Corp making widgets. It's a union shop with 50 workers. Joe gets paid the same rate as the union guys, but since Joe doesn't have to join the Union and pay dues, Joe has more money in his pocket every payday. About $10 more.
Joe is a freeloader. He's reaping the benefits of the negotiators that the Union worked for in the negotiations with ABC Corp. without paying for them. But, he's getting a great deal, and he tells his friends and family.
A year later, the union shop at ABC Corp. only has 25 union members. The other 25 employees are non-union thanks to the Right To Work legislation. The contract that the Union negotiated will run out at the end of the month, and the Union has to decide whether or not they will represent these workers.
The Union is stuck because they don't want to represent the freeloaders. However, the other half of the workers are members in good standing. The Union decides to not represent them in negotiations and they offer to help find new employment for their members.
Now that the contract has expired, ABC Corp is free to deal with all of their workers individually, instead of as a group. One by one, they cut everyone's pay by 25 percent. Also, there will be less vacation and sick leave.
There are two other widget makers in town who were non-union shops, but they had to pay their workers close to the union wage in order to keep employees, and offer similar benefits. Now that ABC Corp. has gotten rid of the union and lowered their wages, the other two widget makers are free to do the same and the wages for their 100 employees is lowered as well.
Oh, and Joe Worker? He got pissed about his pay cut and argued with the manager about it, so he got fired.
This is the Right To Work.
Sounds like a great deal, doesn't it?
So on this day, enjoy your BBQ, and hopefully you got the day off with pay.
~Easy
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