For many of us, Labor Day represents summer’s last hurrah. BBQs, picnics, (and your final chance to wear white for the year!) signal the transition to cooler seasons. In fact, there’s a deeper history to the holiday, which was founded out of the labor movement of the 19th century. Learn more about Labor Day’s origins and how you can use your skills to help nonprofits on the front lines of supporting workers today.
The Origins of Labor Day
Labor Day was celebrated informally and in various cities and states beginning in the 1870s. Labor union leaders and activists began pushing for a federal holiday as a way to recognize the contributions of American workers nationwide. The bill languished in Congress for months without much movement. That was until a railroad worker strike interrupted travel and commerce across the country in 1894.
Chicago’s Pullman Palace Car Company went on strike in spring 1894 to protest a reduction in wages. In solidarity, unionized railroad workers across the country refused to work on Pullman train cars and within days, more than 125,000 workers had quit rather than cross picket lines. Bowing to pressure from unions and a sympathetic public, the bill was signed into law in June 1894 with the first federal Labor Day celebrated that September.
Hard-Fought Victories for Worker Protections
Struggles like those of the striking Pullman workers can be found throughout the history of the labor movement in the United States. Victories were hard fought, often violent, and incremental. Decades of organizing moved the needle little by little, eventually leading to protections we enjoy today, from the 8-hour workday, 5-day work week, worker’s compensation, equal pay for equal work, the abolishment of child labor, and more. (Check out Smithsonian Folkways fascinating collection of artifacts to discover more about American labor history.)
The creators of Labor Day intended the holiday as a celebration of the labor movement’s achievements, as well as an opportunity to highlight the challenges still to be overcome. Work may look different than it did at the turn of the 20th century, but there are still significant barriers to employment for many, including those from historically marginalized communities and people with disabilities. Thankfully, there are nonprofit organizations supporting, educating, and advocating for the workers of today, helping to create better workplaces of tomorrow.
Use Your Skills to Help Workers
Check out some of the opportunities available right now on Taproot Plus to use your skills to get involved in workforce development and workers’ rights:
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Accounting & Finance: LaunchSpace Inc supports economic development in post-industrial, semi-rural communities through job training and support for local entrepreneurs and craftspeople. They are looking for recommendations on streamlining their budget and develop a system for budget projections. Learn about this project and apply.
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Sales and Customer Service: Greenwood Project creates opportunities for Black and Latino college students to access high-trajectory careers in financial services and break the cycle of poverty. They are looking for communications and sales tips to help connect with potential funders and partners in virtual meetings. Learn about this project and apply.
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Social Media Content Creation: PAR-Recycle Works is a nonprofit electronics recycler that provides transitional employment, job skill training and job placement to people returning from prison. They are in need of a volunteer marketing/social media pro to help build and execute a social media strategy to increase their reach. Learn about this project and apply.
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Accounting & Finance: Grassroots Collaborative builds power for working families through policy organizing, grassroots leadership development, civic engagement and popular education training. They are looking for advice on improving their QuickBooks setup as they prepare for an in-depth accounting overhaul. Learn about this project and apply.
