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The first Monday in September is celebrated as Labor Day in the U.S.
Always enjoyed the three-day weekend, but as the middle class scion of a entrepreneurial family, never had much sympathy for the cause of organized labor in this country. As time has passed, however, my attitude has evolved.
In my defense, organized labor had long since won its important battles as I came of age, and was as established and comfortable as its so-called adversary, big business.
In an expansive economy, business finally realized that labor peace was well worth the expense, and in an expansive economy could pass that expense along to its Consumerist Age customers.
As Henry Ford, that brilliant, miserable anti-Semite, revealed to a shocked world, well paid workers can afford to purchase the products they labor to produce for you. I’m not being sarcastic — this was an incredible breakthrough.
The lasting images of pot-bellied union representatives cozily dealing with their pot-bellied corporate counterparts; and the often hinted (and sometimes proven) relationship between organized labor and organized crime; all this kept yr (justifiably) humble svt from feeling too much sympathy for what seemed an obsolete cause.
Portly and comfortable, labor long since lost its fighting trim, and paid the price as business steadily, and with little fear of labor’s confrontation, moved jobs, first to union free states mainly in the Southern U.S., and ultimately to Canada, Mexico and offshore altogether.
At the same time, the nature of work in the U.S. has gradually evolved in its lengthy arc from mainly agricultural, to industrial (the peak of labor’s battles and influence), to knowledge, and organized labor has only fitfully made inroads into the white collar workforce.
The nature of knowledge may be changing the nature of work, as necessity and creativity may make the idea of working together in offices under one roof obsolete. Ultimately, we all may become knowledge entrepreneurs, rugged individualists, selecting our own hours and working conditions, responsible for our own health insurance and retirement funding. Organized labor may well be on the road to total obsolescence.
But, small “L” labor, working people doing the day in, day out work they do to keep themselves and their families fed, clothed, sheltered, healthy and educated, deserves to be celebrated.
So, enjoy Labor Day, those of us who do more than clip coupons for a living. We manifestly deserve the long weekend.
It’s it for now. Thanks,
–MUDGE
Left-handed Complement 