Labor Day celebrates the strides made by the labor movement during the Industrial Revolution. Rooted in a violent and deadly past comprised of armed conflicts and domestic military deployment, it pays tribute to the hardworking blue collar work force whose back-breaking work padded the pockets of the capitalists, making America the richest nation in the world. It’s one of the oldest holidays in America and unofficially symbolizes the end of summer.
It’s hard to imagine armed conflict between workers and employers in modern America. Nonetheless, the need for the military to be deployed to break up such protests. Clearly, the labor movement has aided the way for more fair and just wages, protected children from exploitation, and created safer working environments for employees. Yet, wage stagnation, the decline of the unions, and elimination of company pensions are among a few of the successes of the labor movement that are in steep decline in America.
Worker safety is critical during this pandemic for frontline workers, especially our health care workers. Thousands of health care workers have contracted COVID-19 and died from this disease in the United States. Worldwide, the number tops six digits. It’s shocking and alarming to know how strained our health care system is from this pandemic.
On this Labor Day, there are a few ways to show gratitude to our current labor force, which is mostly comprised of service workers, many of whom still work on Labor Day! So, while the factories are shut down, banks and governments offices get the day off, many service workers do not.
Thank a health care worker. They are putting their lives on the line everyday seeing patients in our local clinics as the delta variant spreads quicker than our wildfires.
Thank the grocery store clerks. With contact all day with the general public, they too are getting exposed daily and deserve to be honored.
Thank the restaurant workers. With so many people taking vacation on Labor Day weekend, this work force works harder than ever on these busy weekends.
Thank our teachers. While they get the day off, they are at ground zero for the delta variant as it ping-pongs around the classroom. While most of our teachers are vaccinated, once infected, they need to quarantine because most of their students are not, causing disruption to the learning environment.
Observe the mask mandate. It’s the least we can do to show our gratitude and respect to all the health care workers, grocery clerks, restaurant staff and teachers who are putting themselves on the line every day being in close contact with the general public.
The news of the COVID numbers in our community is depressing. The international news is also depressing. But one thing that isn’t depressing is that there’s still a good month of lovely weather ahead of us, so everyone should be happy about that! Stay outside, stay safe, and stay healthy.
