It may seem incongruous that we celebrate labor by taking a day off, but American workers have earned a holiday.
Among large nations, according to various economic analyses, U.S. workers are by far the most productive in terms of gross domestic product per hour worked. That is a testament to our capitalistic system, cutting-edge technology that increases productivity, and the traditional American work ethic.
Yet while the United States long has been a leader in productivity and innovation, creating an economy that is the envy of the world, it has not always given enough attention to the front-line workers who form the foundation of that economy.
That is the meaning behind Labor Day, which we celebrate Monday as a national holiday. While the event has come to be associated with barbecues, the unofficial end of summer and the start of a new school year, it was born out of serious issues facing American workers.
As Grover Cleveland said in 1886, during his first presidency: “The laboring man, bearing in his hand an indispensable contribution to our growth and progress, may well insist, with manly courage and as a right, upon the same recognition from those who make our laws as is accorded to any other citizen having a valuable interest in charge; and his reasonable demands should be met in such a spirit of appreciation and fairness as to induce a contented and patriotic cooperation in the achievement of a grand national destiny.”
Such sentiments now include women in the workforce, who have brought their own indispensable contributions to our nation’s growth and progress.
In 1894, during his second presidency, Cleveland signed into law the first national Labor Day, under increasing pressure from a growing organized labor movement. The initial law, however, applied only to federal workers; it wasn’t until the 1930s that the occasion was recognized in all states.
During the 130 years since Labor Day was first honored, workers have seen many changes. Pressure from organized labor has led to the institutionalized eight-hour workday and 40-hour workweek. It has led to improvements in workplace safety. It has created better wages and benefits.
With many of those amenities now codified in state and federal law, private labor unions have diminished. According to the Biden administration, union membership has declined from one-third of private-sector workers in the 1950s to 6 percent today. “Globalization, technological change, and employer concentration are commonly cited as key factors, eroding union power and increasing employers’ bargaining position relative to workers,” the White House writes. The rate of union membership among public-sector workers is significantly higher.
But whether or not unions are prevalent, Labor Day is an appropriate time to consider the conditions of U.S. workers and to assess their future needs. For example, a changing climate and extreme heat is having a large impact on outdoor workers. Last year, Washington expanded heat-related protections for workers, a necessary move that should be adopted in all states.
For another example, accessible and affordable day care is essential for allowing the workforce to reach its full potential. A lack of day care is keeping many capable workers from seeking employment, contributing to a national labor shortage.
Other actions also are necessary for improving the lives of American workers. As we celebrate Labor Day, employers and government officials should pay heed to the value of those workers.
