The US Department of Labor Web site claims Labor Day was originally observed with, “a street parade to exhibit to the public ‘the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations’ of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. “
My apologies for posting this story after midnight… meaning the day following Labor Day. A hectic schedule, working multiple shifts at multiple jobs and projects; this, before submitting eleven resumes to prospective employers, prevented a more timely publication of the story.
Never fear, I was not alone!
We were there in force: Punching cash registers, scrubbing floors, scraping gum from the undersides of tables and saying “how can I help you” and “have a nice day” time and again to the droves of humanity celebrating a(nother) three-day weekend without us. Of course we were present and punctual, pleasant and puerile, pleased as punch to help with customers’ appetites, apprehensions and avaricious pursuit of the much vaunted “ONE DAY ONLY SALE!”.
America.gov, the State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs Web site, said the Service Industry accounted for 67.8% of the United State’s 2006 GDP. Loosely interpreted, this means more workers in the U.S. are likely to serve a hamburger or carry luggage than build an automobile or even dig a ditch. Less loosely interpreted more than half of all U.S. industry is expected to punch the clock on Labor Day. After all, the millions of workers fortunate enough to have gained and kept mid-, and upper-level employment positions in which nationally recognized holidays pay homage to their work. As published by the Department of Labor: “It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.”
I myself had the privilege of being paid to pick up cigarette butts and wipe blood off a toilet in Oregon, the first state to legally recognize Labor Day as a holiday in 1887. Prim, neat families played in the park with mouthfuls of organic food from compost-friendly packaging. “Natural”-themed, brown napkins with recycling symbols blew off their tables and laps, out of their children’s greasy fists and organic, hemp, reusable shopping bags. This detritus of eco-conscious avarice gathered in small tornadoes heaped in the corners, nooks, and niches of public space. I, and a hundred like me, shuffled one side to the other of allotted spaces, like crabs with pistol-gripped claws, latex gloves and economy-size quantities of hand sanitizer.
We worked.
We labored.
And we were lucky to do it.
Which takes us back to the deeper irony.
Labor Day was originally advertised as a way to recognize the poor schleps busting their backs every day, forming the skeletal core on which this nation built the entire culture, economy and political system comprising the morbidly obese behemoth it is today. It was just one day to say “thank you. Why don’t you take a load off?” to the workers of the 19th Century who certainly wouldn’t reap rewards in the form of middle-class wages and full medical benefits.
Today, the poor schleps worked. They wiped. They smiled. They gripped tightly to the tenuous thread the job market has left them despite their best-laid plans. And most were thankful more than they were bitter.
After all, with any luck maybe they’ll get Thursday off. Maybe even Friday so they can spend time with the fortunate friends who work the conventional weekday schedule. With a little more luck a customer will recognize the service and convenience offered on a day to praise people who work. Maybe offer an oversize tip or at least a kind handshake. And with a little sincerity say:
“Thank you so much. That was great. Have a nice day.”
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