In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, expending exhaustive efforts to get by, it’s easy to lose sight of all of the efforts of everyone else. For some, their jobs can be so demanding that they have blinders to all of those outside of their bubble that make that hustle and bustle a lot less hectic than it could be. Labor Day was created to give us all the opportunity as consumers to recognize Joe Worker and to give each of us, as Joe Worker, much needed recognition and maybe a day off.
Ever since Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, in response to the Pullman Strike, the U.S. has celebrated the American worker. The Industrial Revolution, of the early 29th century, meant the supply could now meet the need. Advancements in production meant more people to work, to crank out consumer goods. The better the technology was becoming, the stronger the need, and the rush to get it out. This, subsequently, meant poor working conditions. Strikes and riots became commonplace as workers fought to be heard on issues of labor conditions: hours, safety, and especially, wages. Unions and associations were formed to speak up and fight for workers’ rights. Having found a voice, strikes became a useful tool. President Grocer Cleveland signed the bill into law in 1894, to get the workers of the Pullman Palace Car Company back to work. No rail workers brought a halt to many aspects of the industrialized American way of life, and that just wouldn’t work!
So, this Labor Day holiday, celebrate! You deserve it. Whether it’s after work, before work, or instead of work celebrate the American worker. They/we/you keep the country going. Everyone from the toll booth workers to the heads of multi-billion dollar conglomerates make this country what it is and we are blessed for them all!
Fun facts about the workforce
- America’s labor force consists of 155 million people older than 16.
- The average worker commutes for about 25 minutes.
- Laborers in the 1800s often worked twelve hours a day, every day of the week.
- The median worker’s wage in 2010 was $36,931 for women and $47, 715 for men.
- The eight hour workday was established in 1916.
- Oregon was the first state to celebrate the holiday officially.
