Labor Day is a reminder to protect workers' rights

8/31/12

As we celebrate Labor Day, we celebrate the everyday achievements of the workers who make California and America great. CSEA and other labor unions have led the fight in advancing the rights of all working people.

But this Labor Day, the future of workers’ ability to stand up to the powerful interests that want to erode workers’ rights, is under threat. Proposition 32, the Special Exemptions Act, was written to limit the voice of working men and women and create special exemptions for the wealthy and well-connected even more political power to write their own set of rules.

"Never before have we been under such vicious attacks by anti-worker, anti-union millionaires, whose only mission is to destroy organized labor -- that's why we must defeat Prop 32," said Association President Allan Clark. "As we celebrate Labor Day, let us not forget the meaning of this day. It is a day set aside to honor the labor of all workers, recognizing the work we do and what we stand for. We must remember that the labor movement not only brought us this day, the labor movement brought us free public education, the eight-hour day, paid vacations, holidays and elimination of child labor.”

Labor Day events to be held throughout California
At parades, picnics, barbecues, and other Labor Day events throughout California, union workers and other members of the community will celebrate the progress made by organized labor – and this year, many will also voice their opposition to Prop. 32. Find a Labor Day event near you

In addition to gathering at traditional Labor Day events, many people are using this holiday as an opportunity to spread the word out about Prop. 32’s harmful effects. There are many ways to get the message out, whether it’s writing letters to the editor of your local newspapers or communicating to friends and family via Facebook and Twitter.

Write a letter to the editor
You can write a letter to the editor of your local paper in less than a minute. The No On Prop. 32 website provides you with an online tool that helps you easily submit a letter to the newspaper of your choice. There’s even sample “talking points” to help you compose your message. Get Started

Post it on Facebook
Like the No on Prop. 32 Facebook page
Share some of its content with your friends and family
Post a Labor Day message of your own

Sample Message:
For generations, labor unions have fought for the middle class. The 40-hour week, workplace safety laws, child labor protections, and so many more achievements we take for granted were achieved thanks to working men and women. We cannot afford to let corporate special interests silence the voices of working Californians. Proposition 32 was written to limit our voice while creating special exemptions for the wealthy and well-connected, giving them even more political power to write their own set of rules.

On Labor Day, join us in pledging to vote No on Proposition 32.

Change your Image: Consider posting a new profile picture for the weekend (or the rest of the campaign) of yourself holding a “No on 32” sign or some other “No on 32” graphic.

Tweet it on Twitter
Follow @StopExemptions on Twitter
Increase the visibility of your tweets by using the hash tags: #LaborDay,  #Prop32 and #workudo

Sample Tweets:
Labor brought us 40-hr wk & more. #Prop32 silences working CA & leaves huge #SpecialExemptions. Pledge to vote No on 32: http://StopSpecialExemptions.org/PledgeToVoteNo

Celebrate #LaborDay by pledging to protect voice of working Californians by voting No #Prop32. http://StopSpecialExemptions.org/PledgeToVoteNo #StopSpecialExemptions

Volunteer with CSEA
CSEA needs your help to defeat Prop. 32 and pass Prop. 30. Volunteer your time and help make difference. It’s fun, rewarding and you’ll get all the help you need. Sign up online

Do you know the history of Labor Day?
While many people think of Labor Day as no more than a three-day weekend to enjoy the end of summer, there is a lot more history to it. It began on Sept. 5, 1882, when about 20,000 working people marched in New York City to demand an eight-hour workday and other labor law reforms. Sponsored by New York’s Central Labor Union, these marchers paraded up Broadway, carrying banners that read, “Labor Creates All Wealth” and “Eight Hours for Work, Eight Hours for Rest, Eight Hours for Recreation.” About a quarter million New Yorkers turned out to watch.

After the first Labor Day in New York City, celebrations began to spread to other states as workers fought to win workplace rights and better working conditions and wages at a time when they had little power. In 1893, New York City workers took an unpaid day off and marched around Union Square in support of a national Labor Day. The following year, 12,000 federal troops were called into Pullman, Ill., to break up a huge strike against the Pullman railway company and two workers were shot and killed by U.S. deputy marshals. In what most historians call an election year attempt to appease workers after the federal crackdown on the Pullman strike, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation making the first Monday in September Labor Day and a federal holiday. Cleveland lost the election.

Learn more about Proposition 32
All these years later, we are at risk of losing all these hard-fought rights. Proposition 32, the Special Exemptions Act, is the first step toward a Wisconsin-style assault on California workers. Once they take away our voice, they’ll come after any laws that get in the way of their bottom line – safety laws, coastal protections, overtime requirements and especially collective bargaining laws.

Corporations already outspend unions by 15-to-1, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Unless we defeat Prop 32 this November, it will effectively silence our voice while giving contractors, hedge funds, real estate developers and billionaire businessmen free rein to exert even more influence over our political system. And that hurts all of us…More

Thank someone for the work they do
On the new online app at www.aflcio.org/thankyou, participants can send innovative thank you cards through Facebook and email to friends and others whose work they depend on. The app also features videos from people, including actor Martin Sheen, recognizing the work of people they rely on every day. You can even create and load your own video thank-you.

Related Resources:
Labor Day FAQ
CSEA History
No on Prop. 32 Member Action Center