Considered by many to be summer’s last hurrah, Labor Day is intended to recognize the dignity of and respect for the American laborer.
In 1894 President Grover Cleveland signed Congressional legislation that designated the first Monday in September as a holiday recognizing the American worker. Organized by Eugene V. Debs, the Pullman Strike was a nationwide strike that disrupted rail traffic resulting in the passing of federal labor laws to protect workers, creating a movement that recognized the value of labor.
Profiles of Labor Leaders
In 1925, labor leader and civil rights activist Asa Philip Randolph organized and led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first successful African American-led labor union. Then, during the summer of 1963, along with Bayard Rustin, he helped organize the March on Washington, bringing together civil rights groups, labor union members, and religious leaders.
The year before the March on Washington, Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta founded the National Farm Workers Association. This organization established minimum wage standards and contracts, safer working conditions, child labor reform, and advancement in civil rights for farm workers. In partnership with the United Farmworkers, Larry Itliong led a similar movement for Filipino farmworkers who labored in grape fields. The grape boycott improved exploitative working conditions for predominantly immigrant labor.
Rose Schneiderman was just 16 years old when she began work in New York City’s garment industry. During the years she worked, American sweatshops were the norm, and workers toiled in dangerous conditions, like the ones that killed 148 women in the Triangle Shirt Waist Company factory. Rose organized an all-women hat-makers union to demand equal pay and standard working hours. Throughout her life, Rose continued to shed light on workers’ rights as President of the National Women’s Trade Union and an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Honoring Their Contributions
Many people from all walks of life, both past and present, contribute to ensuring dignity and respect for workers across all industries. We remember the trailblazers that helped make Labor Day a federal holiday.
Celebrating the BSD Community
This year, we honor our staff and our families for their roles in serving and supporting our community. From our teachers, nutrition services workers, bus drivers, paraeducators, administrators, maintenance, and tech employees, all of whom are the backbone of our community and district, thank you! We hope Labor Day is spent with honor and respect for all in our workforce.
To learn more about labor partners within BSD – visit: Service Employees International Union (SEIU Local 925), International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE Local 302), International Association of Machinist & Aerospace Workers (IAM Local 289), Washington Education Association (Local BEA), Bellevue Coaches Association (BCA), Maintenance Employees Association (MEA) and Principal and Administrative Collaborative Bellevue (PAC-B).