(9/2018) Labor Day Thank You
The first Labor Day occurred in 1882 in New York City. The landscape of the conditions at that time for laborers was in many ways dangerous and the average workweek was 70 hours, seven days a week. Workers united and many protested their poor wages, exhaustive hours and poor working conditions. Over time, the average workweek is what we
normally have today, 40 hours and 5 days a week.
In 1894, it became a national holiday when President Grover Cleveland signed the Labor Day Bill into law. However, as you know, many still work that holiday as part of their jobs be they retail stores and their Labor Day Sales, or required shifts based on their positions.
In current times, many focus on higher education as a requisite for securing a good job with a livable salary and value the white-collar job over the blue-collar one. Many look down on those who use their hands to develop skills for a respectable living.
This is so far from my opinion of the millions of people who are employees in the various trades. They work with pride, dignity and a powerful ethic.
There is an inherent dignity in labor. You work hard, toil with seasonal elements and earn a living by the sweat of your brow and tremendous effort.
Just think of what happens when your engine light goes on. You depend on your car mechanic to diagnose and fix the problem. When your plumbing stops working, you don’t hesitate to call a plumbing professional to repair it as soon as possible. How about when it is 100 degrees outside and the air-conditioning unit stops functioning. I bet you
are very happy to have a trained HVAC technician service the problem and hear the humming of the motor working again, reducing your indoor temperature from a humid 95 degrees to a cool 78 degrees! During a power outage is when most people appreciate the comforts provided by lights, use of the stove, refrigerator, freezer, water heater, televisions, cable and the
internet – as all those are now off and we are in the dark. Thanks to the tireless work by the line operators and other power company employees, the electricity to power all the homes is usually restored in short order. Farmers! They devote their lives 24/7 to the care and nurturing of the land, animals and crops, which feed us daily. Working on a farm as a young
boy, it was not often we took a day off. It was possible to take a vacation only if we had family or a friend come take care of the animals, as they need food and water daily. Just imagine not being able to take a vacation for years sometimes due to the responsibilities of care.
These are just a few examples of people whose work in the trades touch our lives. Others include welders, builders, tree removal experts, construction workers, carpenters, glass-makers, auto industry workers, house painters, railroad repair workers, brick masons, oil field and rig techs, manufacturing, sanitation, exterminators, inspectors,
landscapers, snow removal, heavy equipment drivers and so many more.
Jobs in the labor industry require more than just strong hands and minds. Many now require more training and expertise than ever before in our history. For example, many farmers today not only have to know how to manage their crops, they need to understand and follow a myriad of federal, state and county laws and regulations. Farmers
understand the science behind their craft and recognize when to make adjustments to the soils, nutrients, and chemicals. The machinery used daily needs repair and many are computerized, some extremely high tech. It is a difficult job bringing us our milk, bread, fruits, vegetables and meats, etc. These are more than jobs – they are labors of love. Love for the
land, the animals and helping neighbors and communities.
All those in the labor trades help each one of us to enjoy life better than in any time in the history of our nation and the world.
The labor trades are truly to be admired, appreciated and acknowledged.
Happy Labor Day!
