Today is Labor Day, a holiday that many of us associate with squeezing in one last bit of summer fun with parties, picnics, and other fun activities. We also recognize it as a day off of work, a time to relax and enjoy our families, our homes, and everything else that we work so hard for. Labor Day originated in 1894 from the efforts of the United States government to reconcile with labor unions following a tragic incident where striking union employees died at the hands of the military and U.S. Marshals.
This year, Labor Day has somewhat of a somber feeling about it. As unemployment remains high and the economy is still on shaky ground, many Americans are unemployed or underemployed. Whether you work from home or work outside of the home, chances are, you have felt at least some effects of the economic downturn. Your customers could be buying less of what you sell, or you may find yourself competing with workers in other countries that do the same thing that you, for less money. Work may be harder to come by than it used to be, and you may be taking on work that pays less than you are accustomed to making.
While the current state of affairs for American workers is not very good, it can provide important motivation for American workers of all types. We can each contribute to making things better for ourselves and for all American workers in our own way. Whether you choose to shop locally to help your local businesses thrive, take political action in support of job creation and fair trade and labor practices, purchase more American- made goods and services, or come up with your own idea for taking action to support American workers, you can make a difference with your actions. Together, we can get through this economic downturn and find a way to get America working at a greater capacity than it is today.