Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This Labor Day, working men and women are doing more than enjoying the unofficial end of summer with our family and friends. We remember the true meaning of this national holiday, honoring the strength and spirit of the labor movement and working people.
The last decade has been a difficult one for America’s middle class. But we aren’t giving up. Today, we are launching a video that recognizes the role working men and women play in our communities–from the things they do at work to the things they do in our neighborhoods.
America’s labor movement helped establish the middle class. It did so by helping workers come together through the freedom of association to bargain collectively for a living wage, health insurance, retirement security and safety in the workplace.
Working families have paid their share from the mess Wall Street created. That’s why it’s not fair to extend tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while our communities suffer. It’s not right to ask working class taxpayers to subsidize corporations for offshoring American jobs through tax breaks.
It’s time that we build an economy that works for everyone.
We’re not giving up. In fact, we’ve just gotten started.
Thanks for all that you do, today and every day.
Happy Labor Day.
In Solidarity,
Jorge Ramirez, President
Chicago Federation of Labor
