To the Editor:
Labor Day is September 7. American labor unions were instrumental in the following modern societal benefits. Most take them for granted these days, but we shouldn't because they are shrinking.
Five day, 40-hour work week
Minimum wage (originally meant to be a basic living wage)
Social Security for retired and disabled workers
Retiree pensions (becoming less common)
Equal rights for minority and women workers
Overtime and holiday pay
Child labor laws
Unemployment insurance
Workers compensation and rehabilitation for those hurt on the job
Middle class
Worker health and safety standards
Paid sick leave
Due process
Job security
Severance pay
Grievance procedures
Family and medical leave
Adequate supply of quality talent for the workforce
Basic workers' rights benefit all Americans, union and non-union, employer and worker. As these benefits have been eroding for the 30 years or so, we should remember where they came from - collective bargaining, won with decades of sometimes bloody struggle. Labor Day was set aside to honor and celebrate the American worker. Can we resolve to do better going forward?
Joan Ratzlaff,
for the Salina Area Workers Coalition