CLEVELAND, September 2 — The following is a statement by BLET NationalPresident Don M. Hahs on Labor Day 2005.
Labor day is the one day each year that we honor our nation’s workers. It is a day for all Americans to unite in celebration of the workers that have made this country great.
There has been a lot of talk lately about how the labor movement is divided. But as Eugene V. Debs said in 1894, “Ten thousand times has the labor movement stumbled and bruised itself. We have been enjoined by the courts, assaulted by thugs, charged by the militia, traduced by the press, frowned upon in public opinion, and deceived by politicians. But notwithstanding all this and all these, labor is today the most vital and potential power this planet has ever known, and its historic mission is as certain of ultimate realization as is the setting of the sun.”
This statement is still true today. While I could to talk about the divisions; I would rather talk about the ways that we are all united together working towards a common goal — that of making the workplace better for all Americans. The labor movement — all of its members — want to make work safer, fairer and better for all workers.
Median incomes are stagnant for a second year in a row, while 12.7 percent of Americans live in poverty and 16 percent of Americans do not have health insurance, primarily because of a decrease in employer-provided coverage. Only by working together and organizing can we hope to make an improvement.
It is also not surprising to me that workers have difficulty trusting their employers to look out for their best interest. Too often, employers put profits before people and the welfare of their employees suffers greatly as a result. This is especially true in the railroad industry.
With all the focus on the divisions in the labor movement, the fact that we stand in solidarity on many issues has been lost. On this Labor Day, let us stand in solidarity in salute to the workers — the people who make this country the greatest in the world. I would like to wish you and your families a happy, healthy and safe holiday.