Labor Day is the sanitized version of May Day, the international celebration of working citizens. Most of us will spend the day mostly celebrating the end of summer and the impending opening of schools. Unionization is at a low ebb in the US. Unions are a driving force for reducing inequality. Most union members represent low skilled occupations and the recent union elections at Starbucks and Amazon represent the new frontier of union organization.
The labor movement is at least getting vocal support from the Biden administration. The president has said it is up to workers to unionize with minimal interference from employers. Unfortunately, a change to Republican rule in 2024 would reverse most gains by the movement. Paradoxically, Republican hostility to immigration reform may well give Labor a shot in the arm as few immigrants will mean more competition for workers' services.
The significance of labor is at a crossroad. For every glimmer of increased organization, there is pushback from employers. A new generation of leaders is coming into power and their imprint will determine the direction of the movement. Let's hope it is a positive note as we celebrate the day.
No comments:
Post a Comment