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Forum Post: Labor Day

Posted 10 years ago on Sept. 2, 2013, 11:18 a.m. EST by shoozTroll (17632)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

"While many of us are enjoying a last blast of summer at barbecues, parades or festivals, others will be working on Labor Day.

Firefighters, police officers and nurses will be on duty. Teachers will be preparing lesson plans for the school year that’s about to start. Still others will be behind cash registers or fast-food counters, while businesses and consumers reap the rewards of super sales.

There’s nothing wrong with an extra day off. In fact, the day’s parades celebrate the working class. We wouldn’t have this day, or even weekends off, if it wasn’t for labor unions and activists who fought to end the abuses of business owners and managers who demanded far too many hours of work for far too little pay. If you have the day off, celebrate it — and thank the people who helped make that possible."

http://www.eclectablog.com/2013/09/this-labor-day-say-thank-you-to-americas-working-class-heroes.html

103 Comments

103 Comments


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[-] 6 points by beautifulworld (23769) 10 years ago

"Wages Stink at America's Most Common Jobs"

http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/01/news/economy/jobs-wages/index.html

Let us not forget the millions Americans who work for low and unfair wages, who struggle daily to make a decent life for themselves and their families.

We need a living wage that values labor in a humane way.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Can't say I am crazy about the source - But - TWEET

DKAtoday ‏@DKAtoday

Wages stink at America's most common jobs http://cnnmon.ie/10s7zhi via @CNNMoney

The More U Know

Living Wage NOW

Pls

Share

Circulate

re-TWEET

[-] 4 points by beautifulworld (23769) 10 years ago

I think in this case the source says all the more. Happy Labor Day.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Here in Michigan, the teabagge(R)s have found yet another way to not only destroy unions, but to lower teachers wages.

Just in time for Labor Day, and the new school year.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2011/09/michigan-republican-privatize-teacher-public-education

As if Snyder's "skunk works" wasn't low enough.

[-] 8 points by beautifulworld (23769) 10 years ago

Education should never be privatized because if you privatize it, then the goal becomes profits. The goal should be excellent education for children, not profits. No money that is part of an education system should be allocated for the fat cats.

I'm disgusted at how teachers are treated in this country. They are the salt of the earth. They shape our children. They should be valued and respected but somehow Americans have been convinced that they are "overpaid!" Give me a break! This couldn't be farther from the truth.

And, and, if you lower your local teachers' wages, well then sit back and watch your own wages shrink, you dummies.

[-] 3 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

I think that's the point.

The education would get so bad, they wouldn't have the tools to understand what happened.

Here's the reality of wages.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023576017

Now, on top of the worsened education, you can now add this recently proven theory.

That poverty is dumb.

It is! But not how they like to tell you.

It's not because they're lazy.

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2013/08/how-poverty-taxes-brain/6716/

So they lower the baseline to poverty, to take advantage of this.

A marketers dream.

[-] 3 points by beautifulworld (23769) 10 years ago

Thanks for the eye opening links.

[-] 2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

It's not one thing. It's everything.

[-] -1 points by WSmith (2698) from Cornelius, OR 10 years ago

It stands to REASON that people consumed and stressed with mere survival won't generally be high achievers in other intellectual endeavors. Diet plays a role as well. The effects of fear and stress are well documented causes of illness and early death.

How to confound and weaken you enemy: cut off their supply line! So goes the Class War waged by the 1% on the mostly oblivious 99%.

Employment is our supply line and democracy is our weapon, Wake up People!

[-] 0 points by WSmith (2698) from Cornelius, OR 10 years ago

Massive Nationwide Walkout By Fast-Food Workers Signals Growing Backlash Against Low-Wage Employers

The corporate mainstays of the industry have a rebellion in their kitchens and dining rooms that’s not going away.

August 29, 2013 | AlterNet / By Steven Rosenfeld, Jodie Gummow

Thousands of fast-food workers in 60 cities from coast to coast walked off their jobs Thursday in an escalating nationwide protest. Strikers are seeking raises to $15 an hour, paid sick leave and the right to unionize America’s second-biggest employer, the restaurant industry, which is predicting its 2013 profits will “reach a record high of $660.5 billion.”

“This is not a cause, this is a movement,” said Letitia James, Working Families Party elected member of the City Council and a candidate for Public Advocate, speaking at a Union Square rally. “This is about economic justice... They [owners] would like you to believe that fast-food workers are primarily teenagers. They are not. They are primarily women with children who are struggling to make ends met. So this is about economic justice. We are here to honor the legacy of Dr. King to stand with fast-food workers who are only demanding $15 and a union.”

“We organized the strike,” said Shantelle Walker, a McDonald’s employee who walked out in New York. “We want to let America know that we need a union and we need $15 an hour.”

The corporate mainstays of the industry, from fast-food giants like McDonald’s to full-service chains such as Olive Garden and Red Lobster, have a rebellion in their kitchens and dining rooms that’s not going away. Thursday’s walkouts—which were joined by poorly paid workers at retail and drug chains—represent a new strategy of publicly shaming low-wage, low-benefit employers.

CONTINUED: http://www.alternet.org/labor/massive-nationwide-walkout-fast-food-workers-signals-growing-backlash-against-low-wage?paging=off

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Lend Labor Day Love to These 4 Striking Worker Groups

The United States Department of Labor heralds Labor Day as a “dedication to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It...

read more

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

There is NO shortage of worker abuse.

Isn't "right to work" grand?

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Isn't "right to work" grand?

For the Greedy.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/09/02/2548341/labor-day-2-2/

My thread on this got buried pretty fast.....so.

There it is^

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Excellent = The One Video (And Three Charts) That Explains Why Unions Matter

Thanks.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

I'm going to be switching over to the official thread now.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

On This Labor Day :

Last Thursday I joined a national strike against low pay by thousands of fast food workers in cities across the country.

I went on strike because I can't make ends meet on low hours and the $8.25/hour I make at McDonald's in Chicago. Because each month I have to make hard choices -- like which meal to skip, or which bill not to pay - just so that my kids and I can get by. No one who works for a living should have to make those choices. And I want more for my kids -- and their future -- than just barely "getting by."

Will you join me and add your name to my petition to demand that the nation's eight largest fast-food chains raise the wages of their workers today?

On behalf of striking fast-food workers across the country, I started my own campaign on CREDO's new site that allows activists to start their own petitions. My petition, which is to McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino's and Papa John's, asks the following:

  • Together, your restaurants employ millions of people. Millions of people, mostly adults, who can't afford rent if they want to eat. Who can't afford health care if they want to pay their bus fare. Millions of people, and more than 25% of them are parents who can't afford school supplies if they also have to buy school shoes.

  • Last year your combined profits were $7.35 billion. Yet you still paid most of your workers less than $11,200 a year – poverty wages. It’s shameful. And outrageous.

  • We call on you to raise wages for your workers.

By now, everyone knows that fast food employees like me can’t make ends meet on minimum wage or barely more. They know how incredibly profitable -- and out of touch -- the corporations we work for are. They know – and you know – that something has to change. Starting now.

We need to know you have our backs -- please help us send the fast food chains we work for a message that people are with us in this fight.

Add your name to my petition to demand that the nation's eight largest fast-food chains raise the wages of their workers today.

Thank you for your support.

Nancy Salgado

Sign the petition ►

CREDO Mobilize helps activists like you make progressive change and fight regressive policies by creating online petitions. Click here to start a petition today.

Share on Facebook Post to your wall

Tweet this Post to Twitter

© 2013 CREDO. All rights reserved.

[-] -1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

OK. I can sign that.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

No doubt. {:-])

I expect the resident shills are gnashing their teeth.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

When did the puppets start growing teeth??!!!!

Are they being genetically manipulated?

It must be.

This is troubling news, indeed.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Nah - no teeth - methamphetamine rage - ground them off.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

So, more like irate gummy trolls then?

Chemically enhanced mono-trolls?

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Gummy trolls - LOL - If only they had mono. {:-])

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Mono = unable to deal with complex thoughts. They tend to be monotopical.

That could be from the meth.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 10 years ago

Mono chromatic light carries a longer coherency length because of the limit frequency range

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

It will laze under the correct circumstances.

It works altogether differently in thought processes, however.

Especially, when affected by meth ingestion.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 10 years ago

concave mirrors create stable resonance

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Mono = unable to deal with complex thoughts.

Well that is a good observation. But I was thinking more along the lines of:

mononucleosis

The most common symptoms of mono are a high fever, a severe sore throat, swollen glands and tonsils, and weakness and fatigue. Symptoms usually start 4 to 6 weeks after you are exposed to the virus.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

If only they'd actually stay away that long.........:(

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Would be a nice start.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 10 years ago

don't they loss trust in posting around the third time they get banned ?

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

I'm not sure.

Would you be willing to try and join their gang and find out?

You could be.......Bond! Matt Bond!

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 10 years ago

it would be fun

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Start a new puppet called MattBond and bitch endlessly about being banned and censored. Toss in something vague about a twinkleteam.

They will probably contact you.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

You'll need fake ID!

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 10 years ago

but my post is all I have

I'm not paid

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Even the small walkout/strike can make a difference.

I know I wouldn't shop in a store that would do this to it's employees.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023580278

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Nice - I hope many area shoppers saw that sign before it was removed.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Happy Labor Day!

It can be depressing to see workers under attack -- by Republican governors, by corporations, by opponents of Social Security.

But if you want to see a truly uplifting video that reminds us what today is all about, check out this viral video:

Positive, uplifting pro-union viral video

This was made by John Wood, a British guy who calls himself a "Labor geek," and it's gone viral on YouTube.

Check it out. If you like it, share it with others. Thanks for being a bold progressive.

-- The Progressive Change Campaign Committee team

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

I will try and keep this thread fed with labor issues.

Wish me luck..........................:)

http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/15545/labor_day_2013_sees_old_woes_for_workers_but_a_new_insurgent_spirit/

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

I will try and keep this thread fed with labor issues.

Good Luck. I will as well - and - also keep other real issue posts in circulation.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Let's hope it keeps the I'm "not anti-union" morons at bay for the day.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Let's hope it keeps the I'm "not anti-union" morons at bay for the day.

Frothing at the mouth and bouncing around on the ground tossing some sort of fit. {:-])

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

At least some States are fighting back.

http://wepartypatriots.com/wp/2013/08/30/anti-union-training-fund-malfeasance-to-be-reduced-in-ca-thanks-to-newly-signed-sb-776/

Should I be surprised to find, it's not an (R) Governor?

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

HUH. And in a strongly anti-pollution state at that. HUH.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

The teabagge(R)s and I'm "not anti-union" folks, never mention that we still have labor "camps", in the "land of the free".

They march too.

http://www.labornotes.org/2013/08/berry-pickers-walk-out-boycott

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Well to be fair - the lower class, poor and poverty stricken get no notice by government. But that being said it seems that the TP's think that the lower class, poor and poverty stricken are that way because they want to be.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Actually, being poor, makes it even harder to stop being poor.

Facts are so fucking liberal,

That must really piss 'em off.

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2013/08/how-poverty-taxes-brain/6716/

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Hmmm - seems like that could also relate to the Greedy.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

There is the FEAR of the $20 big mac.

Greed - a motto:

Whatever the market can bare and then some

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

WallStreet demands its vig.

It will not be denied, or it will break your corporate legs, if it lets you survive at all..

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

It will not be denied, or it will break your corporate legs

Correction = or it will break the legs of the public while flushing the economy - world wide.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

BTW - TWEET

DKAtoday ‏@DKAtoday

http://occupywallstreet.net/story/nothing-lose-and-living-wage-win-fast-food-walkouts-spread

Appropriate article on LABOR Day.

Pls

Read

Consider

Share

Circulate

re-TWEET

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

The "I'm not anti-union" people don't have a word to say here.

I noticed that.

I've always felt the management should have to run all the factories and stores on this day of celebrating those who actually labor.

they sure shouldn't enjoy this as a day off.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

What you expect the resident shills to support workers? HEEHEHeeeee

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Do you know how many idiotic Tea Party entries are in parades across the US? Morons.

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Yes, they do.

I like them much better as well.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/09/02/restore-the-40-hour-work-week/

This would be nice.

40hrs, should allow anyone who works it, a comfortable life.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Yes. But, to have a bunch of Tea Party clowns that celebrate that which they are trying to destroy is disgusting. They are either blithering idiots or doing it to be asshats. A little from column A and a little from column B

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

It's all a mono-issue with them. Whatever ALEC wants them to say.

They won't even notice the extent of the struggle.

http://wepartypatriots.com/wp/2013/08/27/providence-waste-service-workers-seek-up-to-a-decade-worth-of-prevailing-wage-backpay/

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Trying to re-brand the day in their opposite speak manner?

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Ya. Something like that.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

There is an awful lot of that going on in that neck of the woods.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

11 Things workers need besides a day off.

Not that they couldn't use more of those.....with pay, I might add,

but

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/09/02/2533981/labor-day-1/

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[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Have ever noticed that Sonic "whipped cream" never melts?

I quit eating there when I saw that happen, in 85 degree heat.

If "national go back to work day", is a holiday?

Why don't we have the day off?

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[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

I'm sure you can still find chemical whipped cream around in any number of fast food joints.

It's more profitable than the real thing.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

50 year shelf life?

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

50 years, give or take, but at around 75, it makes a great mattress stuffing.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

I suppose not so much a great thing for foam insulation - Hey?

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

OVERworked.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2011/06/speedup-americans-working-harder-charts

Scary charts!!!!

Sorry, just getting BoT. (Back on Topic)

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Tweet

Got any ant-acids?

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

ant =

all

naked

trolls

Now that's even scarier.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Well they are rather obvious - and their intent is pretty naked but not pretty.

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[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Hmmm probably an all natural synthetic - Hey?

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

I though it was whipped styrofoam, but it's mostly high fructos corn syrup.

http://blog.modernpaleo.com/2010/11/frozen-treat-not-such-treat.html

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Offshoot of twinky scrumptious fire retardant filling?

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Oddly, it was an objectivst site that I found the contents on.

I wonder if the libe(R)tarians around here will notice?

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

That might be like having a spike driven into their eyes.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

It's OK.

The fight against anti-worker "right to work" laws are being fought, and that drives objectivists even crazier..

At least in Michigan.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130827/NEWS06/308270103/right-to-work-state-employees-UAW-court-appeal

Thank you UAW!

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

BTW - from the Dept of Labor no less :

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.


History has not been rewritten here - at least - not yet.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Starts with a very good opening:

A Global Revolution Against Poverty

Corporations are squeezing workers across the globe to maximize profits and minimize wages. But workers are standing up and fighting back.

Whether it’s fast-food workers in Detroit and Flint walking off the job July 31 as part of one-day strikes held across the U.S. or mass protests across Europe, one thing is clear – workers are no longer keeping quiet while being abused by big business.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Unions stand up for worker rights all over America and the World.

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/221510661.html

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

" Police arrest union leader at Wisconsin Capitol protest "

SURPRISE

NOT

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

How come I don't see ANY teabagge(R)s getting arrested for workers rights in Wisconsin, or anywhere else for that matter?

Union YES!

Tea Party NO!

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

TP hmmmm and workers hmmmm does the TP know what workers are? That people are required to make stuff that "they" find in their stores?

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

In return:

Remember These Facts The Next Time You Sleep In On A Saturday

Any other reasons marketers/corp(se)oRATions would like to shift focus?

[Removed]

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

It is funny - that recognizing the inevitability of blood shed - going forward from here - whether positive change can be made for the people or not - by negotiated change - prior to a full scale riot against government and business. Blood has been spilled and will continue.

Anyway it is funny that you would be accused of advocating violence - because you merely pointed out a fact - a truth.

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[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

TP slogan? adopted from the corp(se)oRATist credo?

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[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

How bout = The Lessons Of predators and their scavengers? or some such.

EDIT: Self Targeting predators............... Predators that eat their own?

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[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

OH I C - My bad - as in wolves only take down what they need. Gotcha.

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