Labor Day Is Still Relevant…It’s Just Not All Barbecues And Beaches
7 Lesser-Known Facts About Its Importance And Observance
For many in the United States, Labor Day marks the transition from summer to autumn and is celebrated with cookouts, ice cream, and family gatherings. It’s regarded as one of the last weekends to visit the beach before the cooler weather — and the start of school — arrives.
But Labor Day wasn’t all barbecues and beaches.
It was, and still should be, a day commemorating the importance of workers’ rights. The observance was born out of difficult times — low wages, unfair and unsafe working conditions, and poor treatment; and it represents the importance of economic freedom and advancing and evolving workers’ rights in the workplace of today and the future.
Here’s 7 lesser-known-but-important-to know facts about Labor Day:
1. Labor Day became a national holiday in response to the Pullman Strike in 1894, organized by Eugene V. Debbs, where 250,000 workers went on strike in over 27 states for safer working conditions and better wages.
2 Labor Day was observed for nearly a decade before becoming a national federal holiday in 1894.
3. The first Labor Day parade (below) was held in New York City, in 1882. New York was also the first state to introduce a bill to formalize the observance.
4. At age 16, Rose Schneiderman led an all-woman hat-makers union advocating equal pay and better working hours.
5. Another depression began during this time, when immigration was also at its peak in the U.S. These workers — many of whom were immigrants — were facing hazardous working conditions.
6. In 1890, nearly 20% of children ages 10 -15 were employed.
7. As a result of the widespread labor organizing and activism, workers in the early 20th century saw incremental shifts resulting in increased wages, shortened workdays, overtime pay, and shorter workweeks.
Is Labor Day still relevant?
Fundamentally, Labor Day in the U.S. is about the economic freedom to work and create, unencumbered.
If you’re wondering whether Labor Day still has relevance, look to the intersections of technology, policy, economy, and the state of work in 2023.
The WGA has been on strike for several months and continues its efforts. SAG-AFTRA performers are still picketing. The Teamsters, representing 340,000 workers, recently reached a tentative agreement with UPS.
Immigration is at a high, comprising just over 18% of the U.S. workforce at the end of 2022 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Immigrants continue to contribute to the U.S. workforce “accounting for more than half of the 3.1 million overall gain last year,” as reported by the Wall Street Journal and echoed by Forbes, and low foreign-born unemployment rates continue to outpace those of native-born Americans. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Women’s participation in the workforce hit record highs, yet the pay disparity with men still exists.
Now, we’re entering the dawn of a new technology era with artificial intelligence influencing not only the trajectory of the future of work but also how we enjoy our end-of-summer travel this weekend.
Burgers or hot dogs, anyone?
Questions for discussion: Do you think Labor Day is still relevant? In what ways has AI impacted the labor force already? Do you think we’re entering a new labor era? What does this mean for the future of work?
Sources: Brittanica; U.S. Dept. of Labor; Library of Congress; PBS; Bureau of Labor Statistics; Bureau of Labor Statistics; Wall Street Journal; Forbes; CNN; NPR
Alex de Aranzeta (she/her) is a coach and story consultant, and responsible AI advisor, for the most innovative companies. A former Civil Rights practitioner, mediator, and investigator, she now helps tech leaders improve their personal and executive communication, public speaking, strategy, and storytelling to build and strengthen trusted relationships with their products, investors, customers, and teams.
