Samuel Gompers eloquently summed up the importance of Labor Day to Unions - and to all American workers - more than a century ago. 

Gompers, the Labor Icon who founded and led the American Federation of Labor for from 1886 through 1926, described Labor Day as “the day for which the toilers in past centuries looked forward, when their rights and their wrongs would be discussed - that the Workers of our day may not only lay down their tools of labor for a holiday, but upon which they may touch shoulders in marching phalanx and feel the stronger for it.”

Unions have made Labor Day their day, a day to celebrate America’s Working Families.

It’s a day to look back, to pay tribute to those who have fought and struggled for better, safer working conditions and fair pay.

It’s also a day to look forward, to stand up and work to make it possible to provide every American Worker a chance to achieve the American Dream.

“Labor Day is a day to celebrate the American worker,” United University Professions (UUP) President Fred Kowal said, “But more than that, it is a day to celebrate Organized Labor, which has fought for Workers’ Rights and protections for nearly two centuries.  This day is our day.  It is Labor’s day.”

The first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5th, 1882 in New York City.

The trend soon spread across the country.

In 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September a National Holiday.

And why shouldn’t Labor Day be Labor’s day?

It was Labor Unions that brought weekends to America.

The many gains made by Unions - which include the five-day work week, the eight-hour workday, Child Labor Laws and the Minimum Wage, for starters - benefit all Workers, not just Union Members.

Labor Unions defend the rights of our Members in the workplace.

They fight for better wages, better and safer working conditions, and fair and honest treatment of our Members.

Americans are starting to understand this.

A 2022 Gallup Poll shows 71% of Americans approve of Labor Unions, the highest rate of approval since 1965.

Our Union, UUP, fought and won important protections for Members during the Coronavirus Pandemic, including mask-wearing and testing mandates, a tele-commuting agreement and a successful push in the Spring to get vaccines for our members on the front lines - at a time when vaccines were in short supply.

UUP has also been outspoken supporter of the COVID-19 vaccine.

For months, UUP has urged our Members to get vaccinated and a 2021 UUP poll showed that more than 90% of UUP Members are vaccinated.

“During the pandemic, thousands of our Members have taken their places on the front lines, caring for patients in SUNY’s (State University of New York) Hospitals and providing instruction to our students at campuses across the state,” Kowal said. “From our Doctors, Pharmacists and Medical Techs to our Academics and Student Housing Directors, UUP Members have stepped up.”

Unions have a strong ally in President Joe Biden, who is one of the most Pro-Union Presidents in American History.

And Workers across the country, at places like Amazon, Starbucks, Trader Joe’s and even Exotic Dancers in Hollywood, are following his lead and moving forward with forming Unions. 

“On Labor Day, we honor the dignity of the American Worker,” Biden said. "And every day, we remember that America wasn’t built by Wall Street.  They’re not all bad folks out on Wall Street.  I’m not suggesting that.  But they didn’t build America.  It was built by the Middle Class, and Unions built the middle class.  When Unions win, Workers across the board win.  That’s a fact. Families win, community wins, America wins.  We grow.”