Dear Colleague: HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND

September 2, 2018
Press Release
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September 2, 2018

Dear Democratic Colleague,

As we all prepare to communicate with our friends in labor on Labor Day, I write to share some thoughts and plans.

On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers marched through the streets of New York City in what would become known as the first Labor Day Parade.  Twelve years later, in 1894, Congress passed and President Grover Cleveland signed legislation to establish a national holiday acknowledging the contributions of workers to the strength, prosperity and well-being of America.

Now, every Labor Day, our nation celebrates the hard-working Americans who are the heart of our economy and the backbone of our democracy.  Indeed, the Middle Class has a union label on it!

We also reflect on the transformational progress for working families that has been delivered by the American labor movement — from the 40-hour workweek, fair wages and overtime to workplace safety, family leave and the right to collective bargaining.  But this GOP Congress and this President have worked relentlessly to stack the deck for wealthy corporations and against the hard-working men and women of labor, giving workers a raw deal.

In our Better Deal, Democrats have made Giving Workers the Freedom to Negotiate A Better Deal a core pillar of our economic agenda:

  • Banning state laws that undermine workers' freedom to join together and negotiate for better wages, benefits and working conditions;

  • Strengthening the right to strike;

  • Toughening penalties for predatory corporations that violate workers' rights and safety;

  • Respondingto the Supreme Court's disastrous Janus decision;

  • Legislatively addressingthe impending pension plan crisis.

This is essential to our Democratic message and our agenda For The People:

  • Lowering health care costs and prescription drug prices;

  • Increasing pay through strong economic growth by rebuilding America;

  • Cleaning up corruption to make Washington work for American people.

Thanks the participation of so many House Democrats, we have Owned August.  Together, we must continue to drive home our For The People message to the American people in the weeks ahead.

Happy Labor Day!

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