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LABOR NEWS |
| By Rod Chapel, Director Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations |
For release the week of: August 14, 2006
A Time to Remember Past and Present Workers
Americans have celebrated Labor Day for over 120 years. More often that not, though, this holiday is remembered for barbecues and the last “hurrah” of summer rather than its original intent. This particular holiday is dedicated to every man, woman and child that works. It is a symbol of our collective pride and an occasion to remind ourselves of the powerful force our country has become: It’s due to our labor.
Labor Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of workers, both past and present. For most people, work is more than just a job; it provides a means for supporting families; it provides the basic necessities that contribute to our safety and most importantly, work means dignity.
The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade on September 5, 1882, in New York City. The parade was repeated annually, but not always on Monday, until several states and then Congress in 1894, settled on the first Monday in September.
Missouri wasn’t far behind the United States Congress, declaring Labor Day a state holiday in April 1895, one year after the federal holiday was declared. Peter McGuire, known as the “Father of Labor Day” by some, also played a key role in Missouri labor history. After moving to St. Louis in 1877, McGuire helped win the Missouri legislature’s support for one of the first Bureaus of Labor Statistics in the United States. Still in his 20s, McGuire was appointed deputy commissioner of the new bureau but resigned in 1879 to organize a union of carpenters in St. Louis. In 2004, McGuire was inducted into the US Department of Labor’s Hall of Fame.
Missouri also has three labor unions that are honored in the US Department of Labor’s “Century of Service Honor Roll of American Labor Organizations.” The “Century of Service” honors labor unions that have reached their 100th anniversary. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers of St. Louis was established in 1891; the Transportation Communications International Union in Sedalia in 1899; and the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers in 1903.
While workers face challenges in today’s rapidly changing workplace, there is cause for optimism in Missouri. The strong employment trend in this great state has continued to rise. Since January 2005, over 50,000 new jobs have been created in Missouri and the unemployment rate has consistently been below the national average.
Missouri’s economy has made great strides over the last year and a half due in large part to the pro-jobs, pro-growth policies enacted by Governor Matt Blunt and the Missouri Legislature. Workers’ compensation reform was passed last year, the most significant legislation in over 10 years. The legislation protects employers from fraudulent and questionable claims, while, at the same time, preserves the integrity of the system so that the rights of injured workers are protected. In addition, unemployment insurance legislation was passed which ensures funding is available to help workers in need of assistance and is fairer to employers.
Governor Blunt has succeeded in his pledge to reduce state government and improve efficiency. Millions of state dollars have been saved over the past year by streamlining processes and becoming more efficient. The governor and dedicated state workers continue to improve customer service while accomplishing more than ever with fewer resources. These hard working state employees received a well deserved four percent raise this year.
Although times have changed since 1895 when Missouri first declared Labor Day a state holiday, one thing remains the same – the commitment and hard work of Missouri workers to make this state the best place to work.
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