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We Have Been Doing Labor Day Wrong for 135 Years
Let’s Put the Labor Back in Labor Day
Every year since the late 1800s, Americans have been taking the first Monday of September off. At least, most Americans take off. It has come to signify the end of Summer. It used to indicate the end of summer vacation and the start of the school year. It’s time for that last back yard barbecue or a trip to the pool.
It was supposed to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers. So, typically, who doesn’t get this day off?
American workers.
The rest of the country leave their air-conditioned offices in their air condition cars and drive to their air-conditioned homes for three days.
For laborers, it’s Monday. They have been given that age-old motivational speech that would put Tony Robbins to shame.
Show up for work, or you’re fired.
I was in construction for sixteen years. I never got Labor Day off. Or most of the other major holidays for that matter. Why? You don’t work, and you don’t get paid.
People on salaries are getting paid to go to the beach and drink beer all day. The American labor force, hourly employees, and those working for minimum wage have to work. They need the money. They are…
