Did you know Oregon was the first state to recognize Labor Day?

For those of us lucky enough to get federal holidays off, I hope you're out there enjoying it.

But be sure this holiday to take a moment to acknowledge those who are still working today and the hard-working men and women who have, and continue to, fight for improvements in the conditions and pay for all American workers.

Because of the work of previous labor organizers, we have the 40-hour work week, the weekend, a minimum wage, and bans on child labor. Such things we take for granted today were won through the determination of organized workers.

Our work is not done. We need to continue to raise the minimum wage, crack down on corporate union-busting, tighten protections for workers, and reform the tax codes to get rid of incentives to ship jobs overseas. And we need to reject a future in which billionaires sideline the human workforce with AI.

From freelancers and gig workers to blue-collar and corporate workers, we must stand together pushing forward pro-labor policies that will benefit us all.

Whether on the factory line, the picket line, or the line for the water cooler, the fight for labor rights continues. Today is a day of recognition of the importance of this fight for each American.

Onward, from the first state to recognize Labor Day,

Ron