Labor Day and the Roots of a Movement

Indeed, this weekend adds an extra day for BBQ’ing and enjoying the last days of summer. But it’s also good to remember the roots of Labor Day, which can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution and the rise of large factories and corporations. Workers in these factories often worked long hours in dangerous conditions for low pay. 

In response, labor unions began to form to fight for better wages, hours, and working conditions.

This all came to a head with the Pullman Strike of 1894. This strike, which was led by railroad workers, shut down the nation's rail system for several days. In response, President Grover Cleveland sent federal troops to break the strike, resulting in the deaths of several workers.

The Pullman Strike helped to raise awareness of the plight of workers and led to increased support for labor unions. In 1894, Congress passed a law making Labor Day a national holiday to commemorate and acknowledge the hard work of people who make this country tick. 

At A1DesignBuild, it’s one of the reasons we became a co-op, in part to ensure that everyone in our company has a voice and participates in the success of the company and community. 

So take a moment and reflect. Workers and families continue to face challenges, and we’ve all benefited from the brave people who have shaped our labor laws and working conditions as they stand today. 

Want to learn more? Head over to Wikipedia for the full lowdown.