Why Labor Day?

One of my more recent labor intensive projects

I was looking for some inspiration for today and thought to myself, what is the history of Labor Day. To many of us it usually marks the end of summer, an extra day off, and some fun and picnics. I for one enjoyed a wonderful day with the family in the morning, then our church family and have no complaints about an extra day off. When you look at the history though Labor day was started when many American workers were putting in 12 hour days and 7 day weeks to make a basic living, then on top of that were churning out some major industrial revolutions. When I compare that to a good majority of where America has come today, it is quite a different story. The 40 hour week is standard, although I’m sure many will complain about the fact that they work 50-60 hour weeks. The labor conditions and pay are far better in the US today over the 1800s and better than many other countries you can think of today. Do we work hard? I hope so, but sadly I believe we have come a long way from where Labor Day first started back in 1894.

Am I thinking we should get rid of Labor Day? No, please don’t take away one of our few US holidays compared to my European colleagues. My proposal is that we roll up our sleeves a bit more and get back to the hard work this country was founded out. Teach out kids what hard work really is and means. Let’s stop the complaining about the the “living wage,” the 5-day work week, the cost of tuition, and on I could go and get back to hard work.

Hard work is what moves you forward and helps you achieve your goals. No we don't need to become a bunch of workaholics, but we certainly could use to be a little less soft in these areas. We spend too much time trying to avoid work and not enough time going after work to complain. If you calculate up your time I’m sure you can easily find hours of wasted time in a given day.

Since I’m stepping on toes today, why not touch on college tuition. Sure, it is at an all-time high right now, but the question is do you need it? Do you need that 60, 70 or 80K a year education or can you look for some alternatives. I have a Master’s degree, but that is because I got it paid for by the company, while I was working, so all my classes were taken at night. If you want a college tuition, go for it, but make sure it is what you can afford and if you cannot what can you do to work during it to get it done. There are enough studies to show that working while in college makes you more successful. The data is simple, when you have to work, you have less time to screw around, so you learn to prioritize your time better, focus more and do better overall. Not to mention the valuable work experience you gain during it.

Let’s keep it going, I’ve been known to complain about the “living wage” argument. I’m all for people working hard and making the money they deserve to be able to live, but minimum wage was never meant to be that, it was the minimum amount to pay someone for a very simple job. As you add brain power and skill you add additional pay to a job. Everyone wants to complain about inflation, but when you realize inflation is there because people at the lowest rung of the work ladder are now making $15+ an hour, you might wake up a little bit. I bussed tables and waited tables as a kid, then moved up to high class shoe salesman. I made good money back then for a 16 year old kid, who did not have to pay a car payment, a mortgage/rent, buy food or anything. It was pretty much free and clear for me to spend on nonsense and save for future things I wanted, like a car. I’m glad my son is making good money working and I want him to aspire to more, not expect minimum wage jobs to pay his rent/food/car/etc. The goal of minimum wage is to be a starting ground for workers, to even the playing field for the lower jobs. As I said to people during the time, we cannot bring it back, but watch out, automation will continue to take away those low jobs. Unfortunately what that means is that it will be harder and harder for our kids to find work, as these jobs will continue to be reduced.

So, I hope you enjoyed the extra day off and the shortened work week, if you got to celebrate. As I wrap up today, let’s have some fun, put in the hard work that is needed to succeed. Go after things with that mindset and it will make you stronger, more resilient and really push you beyond what you thought you could.

What were your fist jobs and what did you get paid? For me, restaurant work ($2.13 an hour + good tips because I was rewarded for working hard), Shoe Salesman (I think around 7.45 an hour maybe, or it might have been 6, I can’t fully recall). Neither was much but I saved a ton, enough to be able to purchase my first car, and then repair it many times, plus buy lots of stuff that I have no use for anymore.