CSEA President Danny Donohue Says the Labor Movement Improves the Lives of Hardworking Americans

ALBANY, NY (08/29/2018) (readMedia)-- Civil Service Employees Association President Danny Donohue released this statement today in honor of Labor Day:

"As Americans across the country prepare to celebrate Labor Day, often with parades and barbeques to mark the unofficial end of summer, I want to make sure the real reason we have Labor Day is remembered. Labor Day honors the labor movement for improving the lives of hardworking Americans, their families and the communities they live in.

Without the labor movement, Americans wouldn't have weekends, let alone long weekends, to spend time with loved ones.

Without the labor movement, Americans wouldn't have paid sick leave, employer-sponsored health benefits, or the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Without the labor movement, Americans wouldn't have workers' compensation, pensions and social security.

Without the labor movement, Americans wouldn't have overtime pay, paid vacation and workplace safety standards.

Now these hard-won rights that labor unions have fought so hard for are being threatened. CSEA and the labor movement are ready for this fight. These threats have actually united the labor movement and made us even stronger.

Anti-union groups funded by wealthy CEOs like the Koch Brothers want to destroy unions and silence the voice of working people. It's not going to happen. Already their schemes and harassing emails to union members have backfired. Our members are angry that corporate-funded puppets are urging them to quit our union and won't be fooled into giving up their rights and protections to save a few bucks.

Public employees have always had the choice whether to join a union, and every day our members show us that they are sticking with our union. When working people stand together, we have a powerful voice on the job to increase wages, improve benefits and provide safe working conditions. Unions have always been, and continue to be, the path for working people to achieve the American dream. The labor movement has helped thousands of workers get out of poverty, created the middle class, and continues to boost our economy.

I urge everyone to recognize the contributions of the labor movement, not just the first Monday in September, but all year long. I urge our members to continue to fight for the right of working people to join together to improve the lives of hardworking Americans.

So, enjoy your Labor Day parade and picnic, but don't forget who got you the day off.

Stay union, stay strong!"