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Democratic Municipal Officials Honors Contributions Of The Labor Movement On Labor Day

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DEMOCRATIC MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS HONORS CONTRIBUTIONS
OF THE LABOR MOVEMENT ON LABOR DAY

This Labor Day, Democratic Municipal Officials (DMOs) across our nation salute the city and town workers who keep our communities running every day

Chicago, IL – September 6th, 2015 – “During this Labor Day, whether enjoying our family picnics in a city park or at the beach, please recognize the hard work our municipal (and state) workers do who staff, maintain, and clean our parks,” said Tampa City Council Member Mike Suarez.  “And as we travel this holiday, please appreciate the hard work of our road crews, and the police who help keep the traffic moving safely, even on a holiday.”

DMO leaders noted that this is also a time to recognize the contributions of the organized labor movement.  Without the rights won by workers’ reform campaigns, led by them through their unions, we wouldn’t have work holidays like Labor Day in the first place.

DMO leaders noted that this is also a time to recognize the contributions of the organized labor movement.  Without the rights won by workers’ reform campaigns, led by them through their unions, we wouldn’t have work holidays like Labor Day in the first place.

“We should credit the labor movement for the 40-hour week, overtime pay, minimum wage laws, child labor protections, safety and health safeguards, bars against employment discrimination, and in general all the basic work-related rights that men and women of all colors and creeds take for granted in America today,” said Santa Monica, California, Council Member Pam O’Connor.

“Labor unions today are the keepers of the tradition of American craftsmanship,” added Northfield, Minnesota, Council Member Suzie Nakasian.

DMO leaders point out that many basic workplace rights, including the right to be represented by a union in collective bargaining with an employer, are under escalating political attack today.  “In North Carolina, our state legislature has again cut back the unemployment benefits earned by workers who are laid off,” observed Charlotte City Council Member LaWana Mayfield.  “Our state legislature has run roughshod over the interests of average working people recently.  They believe that they can get away with it in part because state laws have kept unions weak in our state.  It’s an object lesson for voters in all states to remember.”

DMO leaders around the nation are committed to defending labor rights and keeping our communities working for all of us.

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