Arizona Dreamin’

By laurie54

Laboring

Today is Labor Day in the United States.  It specifically rose out of the early labor (union) movement in New York City during the late 19th century.

I am an unequivocal supporter of labor unions. I am a lifetime member of the National Education Association, the largest union in the country with about 3 million members. Proudly, I am also a member of the Maryland Education Ass'n and the Arizona Education Ass'n.  I was elected to serve three terms as the president of my local, the Education Association of St. Mary's County (MD). 

I refuse to give my money to huge corporations, like Walmart, who intimidate  their workers upon attempts to unionize.  Some people argue that I'm wrong-headed for this practice since the people who work there depend on those jobs and I am somehow denying them their income. Poppycock!  The same could have been said of the people who worked in sweatshops and child laborers more than a century ago. (Did you know that Walmart employees make up the largest group of people with a job who receive food stamps and other public assistance?)

It was unions who fought for the 40 hour work week, health benefits, safe working conditions and the minimum wage.  I hope all Americans who are attending parades, picnics, barbecues, a day at the beach or even just a relaxing day off at home understand that this day is about more than the Labor Day sales at their favorite stores.  It's more than a day to purchase a new car, television or stove. It's more than a day to crack open a beer and eat hot dogs.  It's a day to celebrate the history of the labor movement and the unions which fought so hard to provide a decent and honorable way of life for this country's citizens.

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