Labor Day and Workers’ Rights
By Ali Roberts
For many years, my understanding of Labor Day was that it was meant for a trip to the beach or to have big cookouts with family. It was primarily an opportunity to have one more three-day weekend of summer activities before the academic year really kicked in. I certainly didn’t question what “labor” really meant in this context. For me, reading about social transformation and political movements uncovered the deeper significance of Labor Day and the long fight for workers’ rights.
Labor Day falls on the first Monday in September and is intended to celebrate the contributions of United States’ workers to society. The origin of Labor Day is generally traced back to 1882 when a union leader named Peter McGuire is said to have proposed a celebration for laborers in the United States. The first Labor Day celebration was held on September 5, 1882 in New York City. Twelve years later, in 1894, Labor Day would be made a national public holiday.
The celebration of Labor Day arose during a period of organizing and political movement to change working conditions. This effort was spearheaded by labor unions, or collectives of workers that exist to protect the rights of workers. More specifically, they fought against the exploitation of employees of all types while advocating for increased wages, worker benefits, and safe working conditions. During the industrial revolution, there was a huge influx of people in the workforce, which meant that many employers had a surplus of workers from which to choose. This resulted in extremely poor working conditions for many. In the 1860s, labor unions in the United States began fighting for improved working conditions, better wages, and an 8-hour workday. It is because of these labor unions that we are protected in our workplaces in the United States today.
Understanding how social transformation has occurred over time can underline the importance of holidays like Labor Day. While Labor Day can definitely be another quick moment to take a breather before the semester really gets going, it can also be a powerful moment of gratitude and motivation to keep striving to protect human rights and enact change through collective action.
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