We hope you had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend. As you celebrated with picnics and parades, barbecues and bargain shopping, did you stop to consider what this holiday weekend is all about?
Labor Day got its start back in the late nineteenth century as a celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. According to the Department of Labor, the first Labor Day was celebrated in 1882 in New York City. By 1894, President Grover Cleveland marked the first Monday of every September as a national holiday.
What has become a leisurely weekend was once an activist led event to recognize all the efforts of American workers. This is a necessary day of observation. At one time, workers didn’t enjoy the benefits that we do today. Generations before us fought for better working conditions, fairer pay and a stronger voice within their organizations.
If you take a look around your community, and even in your own home, you can see the proof of the combined contributions of hard-working Americans. The annual Labor Day holiday honors those who organized for their rights and the rights of others. But today, American workers don’t have to fight for their rights as workers. And that’s certainly a reason to celebrate.
Today, we get to enjoy common protections like 40-hour workweeks, minimum wage and health benefits, as well as improved safety regulations enacted by OSHA. Modern skilled laborers don’t have to worry about poor working conditions. In fact, there’s no better time to be a skilled laborer than today. Like we have shared in the past, there are many benefits to working as a skilled laborer. Two of our favorites are the fact that:
- These blue collar jobs pay well, averaging as much as white collar counterparts.
- In addition to starting off their careers with less debt than their college-educated peers, skilled laborers earn competitive pay throughout the course of their careers. For example, according to U.S. News, in 2019, Electricians earned an average salary of $60,000.
- Skilled laborers enjoy unparalleled stability with incredible job security.
- While other modern jobs can be easily replaced, there will always be a need for someone’s hardworking hands to get the job done. Robots are certainly advancing and customer service jobs can easily be outsourced, but nothing can compare to the hard work of skilled laborers when it comes to building our communities.
In honor of this week’s holiday, let’s all take time to celebrate the skilled tradesmen and women who have done so much for us. We couldn’t live as comfortably as we do without them. A few of our favorite ways to thank skilled laborers include:
- Writing a review for their business.
- In our digital age, positive online reviews go a long way. With five-star reviews, construction companies will see a positive impact for years to come.
- Surprise a crew with a gift.
- If you pass by a construction site regularly, bring packaged snacks or bottled water to them as a refreshing thank you.
- Treat job sites with respect.
- Speaking of passing by construction sites, show your thanks with safe driving. Your focus on safety will be appreciated more than you know.
Also, speaking of appreciation, Construction Appreciation Week is next week: September 13-17, 2021. Let’s plan to celebrate and appreciate the crews in our lives!
