In 1941 it was only a matter of time before the U.S. would be engaged in a shooting war. On that Labor Day it was about building up military strength for what was going to be a very long haul and the Labor Movement was crucial to what would become a Herculean War Effort.

In this Labor Day Address (which fell on September 1st), President Roosevelt called on the American people to put aside fundamental differences and focus on what needed to be done.

Pres. Roosevelt: “On this day, this American holiday, we are celebrating the rights of free laboring men and women. The preservation of these rights is vitally important now, not only to us who enjoy them, but to the whole future of Christian civilization.”

In 1941 Labor was regarded an an integral part of American society.

Today, it's all different.

(Editors Note: This is a repost from last year. Seems just as relevant in 2011 as it did in 2010.)
The subject of AFofL-CIO President George Meany's labor Day address that September of 1967 was The Long Hot Summer. That was a popular phrase to characterize what went on that year, and what had gone on in previous years. The amount of unrest and social upheaval visiting our cities during those years was something to behold. Our society was going through an intense growth process and the political solutions were hard pressed in coming.

Then as now there was a growing disconnect with government from all segments of American society. The Labor movement was feeling the sting of unemployment; a problem multiplied by the plight of cities.

George Meany: “Congress holds the key to the future. Congress must use that key to open the gates of progress. Progress that, today is not just desirable, but urgently necessary.”

In retrospect, 1967 was probably a calm year compared to the year that followed. But the problem remained the same, as it's the same now; disconnect and polarization with no middle ground. The difference is, the disconnect and polarization are fueled by a media seeing a buck to be made in stoking discontent. In 1967 the media was attempting to be part of the solution. In 2010, mainstream media has become part of the problem.

And so it goes, and so it went in George Meany's time. Happy Labor Day.

(John L. Lewis - even at 80 he was still busy drilling)

John L. Lewis certainly looms large in the annals organized labor history. Going back to the early 1900's, Lewis was a staunch organizer, leader and outspoken critic. He had his fair share of run-ins with the government, not to mention Management. But he was always on the side of the worker, always fighting for safe conditions. He didn't endear himself to the press, as was evidenced by this Meet The Press appearance on May 31, 1959.

Clark Mollenhoff: “Mister Lewis, while you were before the committee a week or two ago, you said that, during all those years, those early years in labor ‘I occupied the proud position that Jimmy Hoffa occupies today’. Now, do you really think that’s a proud position in labor?”

John L. Lewis: “Have you any sense of humor, at all?”

He certainly didn't pull any punches and the show ended six minutes early.

But John L. Lewis was just like that.

(Mayor LaGuardia - Lightin' up one for Labor)

Well . . . .there was a war going on.

LaGuardia: “Monday is Labor Day. And that of course brings a long weekend. I want to call attention to the preparations we’ve made for the people of the entire metropolitan area. . . . .we’ve provided ample parking space in Manhattan for all our friends from the metropolitan area who would come in by car. There will be facilities for several hundred cars on the South side of all streets. In addition to that, we’ve provided free parking spaces in Queens at the termini of our subway lines at 169th street and other stations.”