August 30, 2019

Labor Day is Our Day

As we begin the Labor Day weekend, it is important to remember that Labor Day is our holiday – a commemoration of the work we do each and every day, and the struggles of all working men and women to create economic equality in the United States and Canada. No one deserves this honor more than the strong, proud, and united members of LIUNA.

Labor Day was instituted to recognize the contributions of working men and women in both our countries. In the more than 100 years since the holiday was first celebrated, LIUNA members have continued to risk their livelihoods and even their lives in the fight for justice, honor, and strength for all workers. And by doing so, we have helped to create the largest middle class in the history of mankind.

However, we must recommit ourselves to fight against the anti-union, anti- worker forces of evil that threaten both unions and the middle class. We must combat efforts to gut our pay and benefits, push back on so-called right-to-work laws and the repeal of prevailing wage laws. We must protect the right to negotiate in the public and private sector, and fight for comprehensive immigration reform.

We cannot allow this continuing war on working people to shrink the middle class and worsen income inequality. That means we have to fight to protect and expand upon all that our union and the labor movement has accomplished.

On this holiday, let us commemorate all we and those that came before us have accomplished, and as always, may every LIUNA member FEEL THE POWER, BE THE POWER, and USE THE POWER.

On behalf of myself, General Secretary-Treasurer Armand E. Sabitoni, and the entire LIUNA General Executive Board, I wish you and your family a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved Labor Day.