The Boise’s Central Trades & Labor Council’s annual Labor Day picnic is coming up this Monday. Although there are fewer labor union marches in the streets nowadays, the holiday prompts workers to remember what was gained through the sacrifices made by union workers.
Jason Hudson is with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, or AFL-CIO, which he says acts as the “union of unions." He says that though many people benefit from union sacrifices, few recognize their impact.
“They were really important in the 50s, 60s and 70s, but are they still important today? I think when you look at the history of the labor movement you realize just how much people have sacrificed to get things on the job that today we take for granted," says Hudson.
Hudson says reliable schedule, safe working conditions and fair pay are just some of the things taken for granted. He adds that labor unions must remain diligent to protect the benefits that took decades to achieve.
Hudson says, “If we don’t keep doing that work, I think those things would be rolled back pretty quickly”.
This Labor Day, you can join in the picnic fun at Boise Municipal Park from noon to 4 p.m. More information can be found here.
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