Message from Councilman Roc White | August 18, 2023
As we plan for Labor Day, and all the barbeques, pool parties and other celebrations that come with it, we should remember why we all get to enjoy a well-earned day off on the first Monday of each September.
Many of our younger residents may just see the day as a final cannonball in the backyard pool before going back to school (Scotch Plains schools open Thursday, Sept. 7). But we need to consistently remind the children, as well as our entire community, that Labor Day is about honoring the contributions of workers and the labor movement.
While we all benefit from such worker protections as minimum wage and paid time off, that was not always the case. And there are still many, many places on this planet where children slave for hours for the equivalent of pennies and an 80-hour work week is just a part of basic, daily survival.
In the 19th century, America was not much better. Workers of all ages faced harsh conditions, including dawn-to-dusk work hours, financial exploitation and unsafe working environments.
With no other recourse, workers became organized. Labor unions were formed. Through the pains of strikes and violence, employees began demanding an eight-hour workday and wages that were commiserate with their harsh toil.
On Sept. 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history. Many demanding this “workingmen’s holiday” crossed the Hudson from New Jersey to join the masses.
Then came the Haymarket riot in Chicago in 1886, when several police officers and workers were killed during a strike to demand an eight-hour workday. While Haymarket was a tragedy, it elevated the importance of the labor movement and put a spotlight on the need for basic workers' rights.
Several states and municipalities started to establish Labor Day as a public holiday. I’m pleased that our state led the way. In 1887, New Jersey was among the first handful to pass laws that created the holiday. Across our state, there were parades, speeches, and other events to highlight the achievements and struggles of the labor movement, especially among the factories in Paterson, Newark, Trenton and Camden.
With mounting momentum, President Grover Cleveland signed a bill into law making Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894. It was a significant victory for the labor movement and a recognition of the vital role workers play in the country's prosperity.
Today, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. But it is as relevant as ever, as there are workers in Scotch Plains and beyond that still face challenges such as income inequality, workplace safety and the changing nature of work in the digital age.
While significant progress has been made since the early days of the labor movement, there's still work to be done to ensure we are all treated fairly and have the opportunity for a good quality of life. This day also should serve as a reminder of the importance of unions and collective bargaining in protecting workers' rights. Unions still play a crucial role in advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions and other measures of equality.
I wish you a relaxing and fun-filled Labor Day weekend. And I ask if you can take a moment to note the hard work and dedication of workers who have built this community. Together, let’s honor the contributions of the labor movement and the individuals who have shaped the world of work for the better.
