Labor History Week
April 1 –7, 2013

The labor movement has made numerous historic strides for workers’ rights and safety on the job. With the eight-hour workday, weekends and the end of child labor, the labor movement has worked tirelessly for justice and equality in the workplace.
 
During the first week of April every year, Californians celebrate labor’s storied past during Labor History Week. Signed into law in 2002, Assembly Bill 1900 established Labor History Week and encouraged school districts to commemorate it with appropriate educational exercises that make students aware of the role the labor movement has played in shaping California and the United States.

CSEA's role in labor history
In many ways, CSEA has been a pioneer of the labor movement, gaining recognition for classified school employees as respected partners in education. Association President Allan Clark said Labor History week is a good time to remember the work of those who have fought for the rights of classified school employees and for the rights of workers everywhere.

"I cannot think of anything more important than celebrating Labor History Week honoring the working men and women who accomplished so much for all of us by their many sacrifices on our behalf," he said. "The struggles that they faced are still ours today as we battle for healthcare, retirement with dignity and quality, free public education.  History tells us of their victories and they should be recognized for that."

Clark said it’s important to recognize and celebrate CSEA’s accomplishments as part of the labor movement, especially in light of the many upcoming challenges we face.

"CSEA has been the leader in the struggle for education funding for many years and we continue that fight," he said. "We have fought for and won many great things for our children as well as for our members. We must continue to educate our communities about who we are, what we do, and what we have done for our students."