What does “Labor Day” mean anymore? Is it just another holiday sale at the malls?
by John Johnson, Jr., President Transport Workers Union Local 234
“Which Side Are You On?” is a song written in 1931 by Florence Reece, the wife of an organizer for the United Mine Workers. The lyric, “It seems like it's illegal to fight for the union anymore,” feels very current. Even the right to collective bargain is under attack by state governments. This push against unions is raising questions about basic workers’ rights.
Unions are a very important part of American history, yet it is a topic rarely taught in schools. Labor Day is a time to reflect upon all the gains won by the labor movement for all workers and why we have the right to be proud of who we are, what we stand for and our history.
When the song, “Which Side are You On?” was written, the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) organized millions of skilled and unskilled workers in America's factories. During that time of the great Depression, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) was organized in New York City’s public transit. With one out of every four persons out of work, transit companies under-paid, overworked, and mistreated employees. TWU Local 234 won the first major victory for TWU outside of New York City. Organized in 1943 for employees of the former Philadelphia Transit Company, the Local was formed during racial strife. The TWU stood by its record and strong commitment to racial equality to represent African-American trolley operators.
The accomplishments of the labor movement are too often forgotten. The union movement was dedicated to improving working conditions and creating a better standard of living for workers. This includes the eight hour day which provided time for parents to be with their children as well as child labor laws. It was our union movement that brought weekends and holidays as days off for most workers. Healthcare and pensions, so critical for working families were gained by Unions through struggle. These rights and benefits were not just granted by employers. Workers united by unions fought for these gains. We can’t let history be distorted to remove the advances for our society brought to us by unions.
When organized labor is misrepresented in the media, all workers should be alert that our standard of living is under attack. Now, too many families need two incomes to maintain their standard of living, while workers are forced to pay more and more for their healthcare. When Unions come together to protect workers’ rights, all workers benefit even if they are not union members. Even non-union employees gain from union wage scales and benefits.
Before we blame unions for the bad economy, let us consider who isn’t getting blamed. Think about the millions of dollars in executive salaries and the billions stolen by Wall Street financiers. Unlike skilled working men and women, these fat cats create, produce, and build nothing. With so many unemployed, does it matter if you’re “white collar” or “blue collar”? Does it matter if you’re “middle class” or “working class”? Either way, you and your family are not among that top one percent who controls most of this nation's wealth, leaving the rest of us scrambling around for what’s left. Instead of blaming those responsible for the bad economy, workers are divided when hourly wage earners without benefits resent union members.
It is time for unions to claim their role in the new economy. Union leaders must understand technological innovations, global economics, and how management operates to serve their membership. Many unions provide training and apprenticeships to develop the skills needed to keep America’s industries working and make our nation competitive in the global economy.
My parents inspired me to learn and understand the history of what unions have done for our family and community. My mother was a NJ state employee and a shop steward for the Communication Workers of Local 1034. My father was a member of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 135 in Norristown. Their healthcare benefits provided me medical attention for my chronic respiratory illness as a youth. They inspired me to get involved in my union. Eventually, I was elected president of TWU Local 234.
TWU Local 234 members understand how the community relies on us to get to work, school, and doctor appointments. Public transportation is a key industry in our society. Both riders and transit workers have a stake in up-to-date, efficient, reliable transit. Our union wants the community to know that your interests are our interests. This is why we’re campaigning for public transit funding, working on training initiatives to bring our youth jobs.
Unions are an important part of American history. Labor Day is not just a reason for a holiday sale. It is a time to reflect upon all the gains won by the labor movement and why we have the right to be proud of who we are and proud of what we all stand for. So if you go to the mall this Labor Day Holiday, reflect for a moment on how you got this day off and who got it for all of us.
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