 |
|
By Senator Bernie Sanders
|
Labor Day used to be a time to celebrate the rising wages, better working conditions, and improved benefits that most Americans enjoyed for years, but that's no longer the case. This year let's commit ourselves to mobilizing and organizing for better jobs and better wages, -- Robert Reich.
"Labor Day was established in 1894 by President Grover Cleveland, a Democrat, as a concession to the labor movement days after he used federal troops to crush a strike by railroad workers which resulted in 30 deaths and some $80 million in property damages. Workers then, and workers now, were fighting for decent wages and working conditions and the end of human exploitation.
"Today, at a time of massive income and wealth inequality and an outrageous level of corporate greed, we must never forget the struggles and ideals of those who came before us. We must continue the fight for a government and an economy that works for all, and not just the wealthy and powerful.
"Labor Day is a time to remember that for hundreds of years the trade union movement in our country has led the fight for equal rights and economic and social justice. And it is a day to pledge our continuing support to protect workers’ rights which have been under fire for decades.
"The reality is that over the past 40 years, the wealthiest and most powerful people in this country have rigged the economy against the American middle class, the working class and the most vulnerable people. The result is that the very rich are getting richer while most working families are struggling," -- Senator Bernie Sanders
Robert Reich’s video explains the six things needed to mobilize and organize for better jobs and wages:
