Celebrating Labor Day and Our Workers
Celebrating Labor Day and Our Workers from Speaker Emeritus Toni Atkins of San Diego/San Francisco, California, United States for Monday, 5 September 2016
Dear Friend,
Did you know that Labor Day has been a national holiday since 1894? It's true, but its origins go back even further — to 1882 when a labor activist first proposed it, and to 1885, when American cities began passing local ordinances declaring the holiday. Oregon was the first state to pass legislation to that effect, in 1887. California followed suit later.
The prescribed way to celebrate Labor Day in the early years was with a parade and a festival — which sounds like the way we celebrate LGBT Pride in San Diego! And it has gradually morphed into neighborhood block parties and picnics and backyard gatherings with family and friends.
No matter how it's celebrated, we all need only to keep in mind why we take the day off from work. It's an opportunity to pause and reflect on how everyday workers built this nation from the ground up, how workers have driven our economy, and how workers continue to power the United States, regardless of how the economy and the labor force evolve.
Dear Friend,
Did you know that Labor Day has been a national holiday since 1894? It's true, but its origins go back even further — to 1882 when a labor activist first proposed it, and to 1885, when American cities began passing local ordinances declaring the holiday. Oregon was the first state to pass legislation to that effect, in 1887. California followed suit later.
The prescribed way to celebrate Labor Day in the early years was with a parade and a festival — which sounds like the way we celebrate LGBT Pride in San Diego! And it has gradually morphed into neighborhood block parties and picnics and backyard gatherings with family and friends.
No matter how it's celebrated, we all need only to keep in mind why we take the day off from work. It's an opportunity to pause and reflect on how everyday workers built this nation from the ground up, how workers have driven our economy, and how workers continue to power the United States, regardless of how the economy and the labor force evolve.
Proud to join this crowd of San Diego workers and activists demanding an end to wage theft. It's imperative that we continue to fight for improved benefits and conditions, from better wages to expanded parental leave, for all workers.
It's also a time to appreciate the at-times violent struggles that labor activists endured to gain the protections for workers that most of us take for granted today — and to appreciate the additional protections that labor organizations have achieved recently or are pushing for still, such as minimum-wage increases, sick time off, equal pay for women, and family leave.
Each Labor Day, I recall my dad coming home from the lead mines, and my mom working piecemeal at the dress factory, and I give silent thanks for the protections and rights the labor movement gave us.
I am proud to be a supporter of, and a friend to, California's working women and men. I am humbled to be in a position to help pass measures that improve conditions for our state's workers and help them continue to be the engine that drives our country. That's the other way that I am able to say thank you.
However you celebrate Labor Day this September 5th, I wish you and your family, friends, and neighbors a fun-filled and relaxing holiday.
Warmly,
Each Labor Day, I recall my dad coming home from the lead mines, and my mom working piecemeal at the dress factory, and I give silent thanks for the protections and rights the labor movement gave us.
I am proud to be a supporter of, and a friend to, California's working women and men. I am humbled to be in a position to help pass measures that improve conditions for our state's workers and help them continue to be the engine that drives our country. That's the other way that I am able to say thank you.
However you celebrate Labor Day this September 5th, I wish you and your family, friends, and neighbors a fun-filled and relaxing holiday.
Warmly,
Toni G. Atkins
Speaker Emeritus
78th Assembly District
P.S. Social media is a great way to connect with my office! Use the icon below to like my page on Facebook.
Website: http://asmdc.org/atkinsEmail: Toni G. Atkins
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, California 94249-0078, United States
Tel: (916) 319-2078
Fax: (916) 319-2178 District Office:
1350 Front Street
Room 6054
San Diego, California 92101, United States
Tel: (619) 645-3090
Fax: (619) 645-3094
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Speaker Emeritus
78th Assembly District
P.S. Social media is a great way to connect with my office! Use the icon below to like my page on Facebook.
Website: http://asmdc.org/atkinsEmail: Toni G. Atkins
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, California 94249-0078, United States
Tel: (916) 319-2078
Fax: (916) 319-2178 District Office:
1350 Front Street
Room 6054
San Diego, California 92101, United States
Tel: (619) 645-3090
Fax: (619) 645-3094
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