I am a labor guy. My father was a member of the Teamsters for 33 years and my mother was a member of the Garment Workers of America union for 25 years. I vividly remember going to union meetings with both of my parents as a child. I have a long personal history with organized labor as well. I have been a member of Communications Workers of America (CWA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA now SAG-AFTRA). My organized labor experience manifested when I was a member of SEIU Local 790 in San Francisco. I was Chief Shop Steward of a 1,500 member bargaining unit and I was directly involved in negotiating labor agreements between SEIU and the City & County of San Francisco. Again, I am a LABOR guy.
Which is why Labor Day is more than the last holiday of summer to me. Labor Day is a federal holiday that is a celebration of the American labor movement. In fact, two of my all time favorite movies, "Hoffa" starring Jack Nicholson and a relatively unknown film starring Sylvester Stallone, "F.I.S.T." are movies about organized labor. It is BECAUSE of the American labor movement that we have 40 hour work weeks, overtime pay, paid vacation and sick days, medical insurance, work place safety regulations and employee rights in the work place and retirement benefits. Most American workers, whether represented by a union or not, enjoy these fundamental benefits of the American labor movement. Which I why I am so puzzled over the fact that a significant number of the American workforce has such disdain for labor unions.
Bill Moyers, one of my favorite journalists, wrote an interesting piece depicting the challenges of organized labor and the American workforce. In his piece, "Protecting the Promise of Labor Day: Five Ways Workers are Under Attack", Moyers delves head first into the main issues many Americans have to navigate. Pensions, the right to organize, income inequality, fair working hours and access to healthcare are clearly under attack today in America. Since 1979, the percentage of private sector workers who have guaranteed pension benefits have fallen from 38% to a projected 15% in 2015. Since 1980, there has been a full frontal assault on the right of American workers to organize and in some cases retain union representation. The Republican Party has been the steward of these right wing anti-labor laws that have swept the country. In 2011, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, a Republican, and the Republican controlled Wisconsin state house passed a bill that eliminated the right of all state of Wisconsin employees to collectively bargain. ( "Wisconsin GOP uses SKULLDUGGERY to pass union busting legislation") That move led to mass demonstrations at the Wisconsin state capitol in Madison and led to 14 Democrat state legislators to flee the state in exhile to avoid voting on the bill. Walker was also forced to stave off a recall election in May of 2012. Walker, who is now the subject of a campaign finance investigation, is facing a strong challenge from Democrat candidate Mary Burke in his bid for re-election in November 2014. Another Republican governor, John Kasich of Ohio, tried a similar tactic with Ohio Senate Bill 5. ("Chicanery in the Ohio state House Used to pass Senate Bill 5"). Opposition to that bill was placed on the ballot and resoundingly repealed by Ohio voters. Income inequality is a hot button issue in American. Too many employed Americans can NOT take care of themselves and their families making the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. President Obama has proposed raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. Of course, the Republicans in Congress oppose such a common sense piece of legislation. Some states have taken measures to raise the minimum wage independent of what Congress may or may not do. In the case of fair working hours, many American workers are working LONGER hours for LESS money. This is simply wrong. The Affordable Care Act has helped over 10 million Americans gain access to affordable health care - many for the first time in their lives. Many corporations are REDUCING medical benefits and are putting up strong resistance to implementing the law. Organized labor, by the way, was one of the driving forces in helping get the Affordable Care Act passed through Congress.
The Republicans, the party who has the tough task of convincing the American people they would be better of with LESS - less income, less affordable healthcare, less affordable housing, less worker's rights - is predictable when it comes to favoring anti-labor laws. What is puzzling is the number of working Americans who also have anti-labor animus. To those Americans I propose this: forego all the benefits you take for granted that organized labor has won for American workers and independently negotiate with your employer your salary, works hours and number of work days, the number of paid vacation, sick days and other paid holidays and your healthcare benefits and see how you make out. Be sure to not hold an animus toward those who favor organized labor and all the accoutrements they receive.
So as you observe and enjoy this last official holiday of summer, give some thought to the REAL meaning of Labor Day.
Did I mention that I am a LABOR guy?
Peace, peace.
Craig Riggins
Email: therigginsreport517@gmail.com
Facebook: The Riggins Report
Twitter: @CraigRiggins
Which is why Labor Day is more than the last holiday of summer to me. Labor Day is a federal holiday that is a celebration of the American labor movement. In fact, two of my all time favorite movies, "Hoffa" starring Jack Nicholson and a relatively unknown film starring Sylvester Stallone, "F.I.S.T." are movies about organized labor. It is BECAUSE of the American labor movement that we have 40 hour work weeks, overtime pay, paid vacation and sick days, medical insurance, work place safety regulations and employee rights in the work place and retirement benefits. Most American workers, whether represented by a union or not, enjoy these fundamental benefits of the American labor movement. Which I why I am so puzzled over the fact that a significant number of the American workforce has such disdain for labor unions.
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| Bill Moyers |
Bill Moyers, one of my favorite journalists, wrote an interesting piece depicting the challenges of organized labor and the American workforce. In his piece, "Protecting the Promise of Labor Day: Five Ways Workers are Under Attack", Moyers delves head first into the main issues many Americans have to navigate. Pensions, the right to organize, income inequality, fair working hours and access to healthcare are clearly under attack today in America. Since 1979, the percentage of private sector workers who have guaranteed pension benefits have fallen from 38% to a projected 15% in 2015. Since 1980, there has been a full frontal assault on the right of American workers to organize and in some cases retain union representation. The Republican Party has been the steward of these right wing anti-labor laws that have swept the country. In 2011, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, a Republican, and the Republican controlled Wisconsin state house passed a bill that eliminated the right of all state of Wisconsin employees to collectively bargain. ( "Wisconsin GOP uses SKULLDUGGERY to pass union busting legislation") That move led to mass demonstrations at the Wisconsin state capitol in Madison and led to 14 Democrat state legislators to flee the state in exhile to avoid voting on the bill. Walker was also forced to stave off a recall election in May of 2012. Walker, who is now the subject of a campaign finance investigation, is facing a strong challenge from Democrat candidate Mary Burke in his bid for re-election in November 2014. Another Republican governor, John Kasich of Ohio, tried a similar tactic with Ohio Senate Bill 5. ("Chicanery in the Ohio state House Used to pass Senate Bill 5"). Opposition to that bill was placed on the ballot and resoundingly repealed by Ohio voters. Income inequality is a hot button issue in American. Too many employed Americans can NOT take care of themselves and their families making the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. President Obama has proposed raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. Of course, the Republicans in Congress oppose such a common sense piece of legislation. Some states have taken measures to raise the minimum wage independent of what Congress may or may not do. In the case of fair working hours, many American workers are working LONGER hours for LESS money. This is simply wrong. The Affordable Care Act has helped over 10 million Americans gain access to affordable health care - many for the first time in their lives. Many corporations are REDUCING medical benefits and are putting up strong resistance to implementing the law. Organized labor, by the way, was one of the driving forces in helping get the Affordable Care Act passed through Congress.
The Republicans, the party who has the tough task of convincing the American people they would be better of with LESS - less income, less affordable healthcare, less affordable housing, less worker's rights - is predictable when it comes to favoring anti-labor laws. What is puzzling is the number of working Americans who also have anti-labor animus. To those Americans I propose this: forego all the benefits you take for granted that organized labor has won for American workers and independently negotiate with your employer your salary, works hours and number of work days, the number of paid vacation, sick days and other paid holidays and your healthcare benefits and see how you make out. Be sure to not hold an animus toward those who favor organized labor and all the accoutrements they receive.
So as you observe and enjoy this last official holiday of summer, give some thought to the REAL meaning of Labor Day.
Did I mention that I am a LABOR guy?
Peace, peace.
Craig Riggins
Email: therigginsreport517@gmail.com
Facebook: The Riggins Report
Twitter: @CraigRiggins
Many workers don't know how easily employers and politicians can take away working conditions they now have. They don't know how hard it was to get those working conditions and haven't thought how they could get them back if lost.
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