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Introduction
Labor Day is a day set aside to recognize the contributions of working men and women, past, present, and future. Many have struggled and died to gain recognition as contributors to the nations' strength, wealth, freedoms, and leadership. Amongst the celebrations, we must take a moment to revere the contributions of courageous national and local leaders and workers who paved the way for better working conditions for today's workforce. We will be hypocrites, however, if we do not recognize and give emphasis to tragedies, which have fallen upon black Americans and V.I. Freedom Fighters. Though legislation to protect American workers were established, they were not equally applied to blacks until the late 1960's when the Honorable Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King and others organized tens of thousands of people to march and speak out against social, morale, and civil injustices that plagued black workers in America and her Territories.
History
The first Labor Day holiday in America was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City. This plan was by the Central Labor Union who also organized the second holiday parade one year later in 1883. In 1884, the first Monday was selected and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations to follow suit in celebrating a "working-men/women holiday" on that date.
On February 21, 1887 Oregon passed the first state law making Labor Day an officially recognized government holiday. Other states followed closely and by June 28, 1894 Congress passed an Act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
Founder
The idea to hold a day sacred to recognize the vital force of labor's contributions to humanity and high standards of living is disputably credited to Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and Matthew Maguire, a machinist. Peter McGuire later co-founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) who, in 1955, merged with the Congress Industrial Organizations (CIO) making AFL-CIO the most powerful labor organization in America.
Major Legislation
Major labor legislation which granted numerous rights and protection to workers from both employers and unions are:
· The Norris-La Guardia Act of 1932
· The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (Wagner Act)
· The Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947 (Tuff-Hartely Act)
· The Landrum-Griffin Act of 1959
· The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978
Local Legislation
Locally the labor struggle has been, and is, more intense and recognizable. A vast majority of the V.I. workforce were slaves prior to July 3, 1848. The first major fight was to be recognized as human beings worthy of just compensation and humane and civilized conditions and treatment.
Virgin Islands history is glorified with days of valiant efforts and bloodshed of local freedom fighters and their families. Labor leaders were not protected by any law, bill or statute under Danish rule of the, then, Danish West Indies. They were still successful however in leading thousands in well organized and precise concerted activities, even while facing fatal consequences.
A Virgin Islander cannot discuss the local labor struggle without mentioning names of our territory's heroes such as, General Budhoe, Queen Mary, Matilda, and Agnes, David Hamilton Jackson, Earl B. Ottley, and Governor Cyril E. King. Every Virgin Island worker and employer should give reverence to local labor holidays namely Emancipation Day, Contract Day, and Liberty Day. These days mark dates of revolutionary actions which forced improvements to working conditions in the Virgin Islands, especially those working on the plantations on St. Croix.
Act 4440 passed in the 1970's offered collective bargaining and recognition of exclusive representation (labor unions). It essentially passed on protection created by Congressional Acts. I would be remiss however if no mention was made that it is this very same legislation which allowed for the demise of the economically beneficial, politically influential, and self-empowering St. Croix Labor Union and its counterpart St. Thomas Labor Union.
Looking Forward
Looking ahead in the struggle to advance the cause of the working class citizens of the world, we the members and leaders of that same vulnerable class must be diplomatically revolutionary and vigilant in preserving the gains granted to us today due to the sacrifices and efforts of workers in the past. It is time for us, workers, to recognize our worth and realize that we are partners in doing business. Shares of current and future increases in profits should reflect in our wages. Negotiated contracts should contain language to assist in regulating costs of living, provide educational and technical training, and professional development. Employers must exhibit gratitude and honor to employees. Forums, parties, parades and other events should be sponsored by companies, labor unions and the government.
As we recognize this and future labor day's, I want to thank the working men and women of our beloved U.S. Virgin Islands Territory for your contributions to our community. Remember our history is an ongoing labor struggle. Though mountainous hurdles were overcome, we must remain steadfast in our plight. Those in the past have paved the way for us to enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle, today. We in the present must preserve advances gained and open new opportunities for those coming behind us.
There is vital need to emphasize and protect the philosophy behind the establishment of a Labor Day holiday:
As a day to be appreciated and to reflect on individual and collective efforts and contributions to humanity.
As a day acknowledging the contributions of working men and women here and around the world.
As a day in which a country bestow honors and collective appreciation to dedicated workers of America and her territories.
On behalf of the Twenty-Sixth (26th) Legislature Committee on Labor and Agriculture, I thank the working people of the Virgin Islands and give the most high glory, thanks, and praises to our Almighty Creator, the first employer who negotiated a simple but always fulfilled contract; "By the sweat of his Brow, man shall eat Bread, but man cannot live by bread alone but also by following the teachings of the Creator to, Do Good."
Labor Day is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no seat, race, or nation but a day set aside to thank the working people for your labor. No matter what field of occupation every worker is important and necessary.
This essay is dedicated to Our Virgin Islands Labor Union (OVILU) and the entire Labor community of the Virgin Islands. May God bless us all.
Happy Labor Day
