Labor Day 2017

I'm not independently wealthy, which means I have to work for a living. 

On this Labor Day, I would like thank those unsung heroes that do the work, the labor, that allows us to thrive. WOMEN. We know (there is no logical argument or proof otherwise) are paid less than men by about 25%. Race, education, region, industry - all play into this as well. In addition to being paid less for similar work, we also have to overwhelmingly manage the family - that would cost about $60,000 per year on child care, cleaning, meal prep, etc. if we were paying someone else. Not to mention the psychological labor of planning everything from Thanksgiving, to a household move to a home fix-it project, to a vacation. 

IMMIGRANTS. We know immigrants are paid less, oftentimes below the minimum wage. Oftentimes in slave-like conditions. To do what you and me don't want to do - slaughter the cows and chickens, take care of our elderly, work outside in 90+ degree heat to maintain the yard, the pool, the kids, the construction, and the kitchens of the USA. 

CHILDREN. Children work in agriculture, the sex trade, manufacturing. In 2017, 12 year olds are allowed to work 12 hour days in tobacco fields. 

PRISONERS. Prisoners make much of your store-bought food. They infuse the asparagus in the water we buy for $7 at Whole Foods (McDonalds, Starbucks, Koch). They make your clothes (Walmart), answer your cell phone questions (AT&T). Harvest your food - for $2 per day. Think on that. 

I'm fortunate to live in a state with strong labor protections, and I do my best to uphold them and try to make the workplace creative, fun, welcoming. But I never forget those of us that make it possible to live and work as respected and valued human beings.