By Billy Holland
As the calendar eases out of August into September, we thank God for our blessings and will soon see the return of colorful leaves on trees, football season, and bonfires. The unofficial end of summer also means Labor Day is here. Whether you are retired or still laboring in your career, we congratulate all of you on a job well done!
This week many of us will travel, go out to eat, shop, have a cookout, or maybe sneak in one final visit to the beach or neighborhood pool. You deserve it and I hope you have a memorable celebration. So, what exactly is the holiday about and when was it started?
This federal holiday is celebrated on the first Monday of September and is much more than just the summer’s last hooray. This week we recognize the hard-earned achievements of America’s labor movement and acknowledge what workers have contributed with their own accomplishments and our nation’s prosperity. According to the Department of Labor, the concept of honoring the American worker started in the labor movement of the 19th century, as it was a dismal time for America’s workers who faced long hours, low wages, and unsafe conditions.
As labor unions and activists advocated and fought for better treatment for workers at the height of the Industrial Revolution, the idea arose to establish a day dedicated to recognizing members of the trade and labor forces. Even today, many Americans celebrate Labor Day with parades, parties, and festivities. Since those early observances, the day is now also used for political speeches and community officials who emphasize the economic and civic significance of the holiday.
According to the labor department, two workers can make a solid claim to the title of Labor Day’s official founder. Some documents reveal it was Peter J. McGuire, the co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, who in 1882 first suggested having a special day for those who work hard all year.
However, further research supports that machinist Matthew Maguire proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. According to some historians, the special day was organized by the CLU, and according to the Labor Department, the first official Labor Day holiday was celebrated in 1882 in New York City.
On that day, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square. I’m confident we can give both men their due amount of credit and appreciate their sincere concern.
Labor Day became recognized by labor activists and individual states long before it became a federal holiday. New York was also the first state to introduce a bill honoring those who labor. But Oregon was the first to pass such a law in 1887. By 1894, 32 states had adopted the holiday.
Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894 when President Grover Cleveland signed a law passed by Congress designating the first Monday in September as a holiday for workers. The federal recognition was hard-won, having come after a wave of unrest among workers and labor activists brought their rights into public view. In May of that year, employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives according to historians. A month later, the government dispatched troops to Chicago to break up a boycott of the Pullman Railway Cars initiated by labor activist Eugene V. Debs, unleashing a wave of deadly riots.
I worked for a nationwide logistics company for many years while also serving the Lord as a minister. This large corporation had remained non-union since it was founded in the 1930s and they wanted it to stay that way. The union had tried to represent us in the past, but the company fought hard against it. I remember some violence and a lot of animosity between those who stood with the company and others who wanted seniority to rule over favoritism.
The union finally received the votes it needed, and we were represented by a watchdog organization that helped protect us from being slighted by the preferential treatment of a few favorites. Whether you have worked for a union or not, there are situations where they are needed, but not in places where good management treats their employees with respect and fairness. This week and throughout the year, we respect your perseverance and loyalty, and appreciate your talents and hard work.
Billy Holland is an ordained minister, chaplain, and Christian author. Read more about the Christian life at Billyhollandministries.com.
