SOME THOUGHTS ON LABOR DAY
It's Labor Day 2015 and, like many of
you I've got the day off. Most of you
probably figure I've got every day off
since I'm "retired."
But about the time they pulled the plug
on WYOU News I began volunteering
with Electric City TV. I've been doing a
weekly Public Affairs program with my
buddy Rusty Fender.
We do the show every Monday. But,
this being Labor Day, we taped one
program in advance so we wouldn't
have to "labor" on Labor Day!
I once did a story on Channel 22
I once did a story on Channel 22
about people who worked on Labor Day.
Most of them said they really didn't mind
working on the holiday.Of course most
working on the holiday.Of course most
of them got extra pay for doing so!
Strange thing about that too.
When our station was unionized we
Strange thing about that too.
When our station was unionized we
got double time and a half for working
Labor Day (and several other holidays.)
After the union was "voted out" the holiday
pay went down to a time and a half rate.
At that "rate" the union was certainly a
pay went down to a time and a half rate.
At that "rate" the union was certainly a
benefit!
A lot of people who aren't working and
A lot of people who aren't working and
have the day off are probably attending La
Festa Italiana in Scranton.
With all the music and food booths set up
around the Courthouse I wonder how many
With all the music and food booths set up
around the Courthouse I wonder how many
will pay any attention to the status of John
Mitchell on the Adams Avenue side of the
building?
Mitchell, who was know world round as a
labor leader became President of the United
Mine Workers of America. And though he
Mitchell, who was know world round as a
labor leader became President of the United
Mine Workers of America. And though he
wasn't from Scranton he's buried there.
His union led the struggle for the 5 day work
week and for a decent life for the men who built
our area by laboring underground in the coal
mines! We could have used this guy in the
His union led the struggle for the 5 day work
week and for a decent life for the men who built
our area by laboring underground in the coal
mines! We could have used this guy in the
News field too!
Unions have come under a lot of fire over the
past few years.
There's no question they improved the lives of
many working men and women over the years.
But Labor Day isn't a time to salute unions.
It's a time to remember the people who
labor every day to support themselves and their
families, our country and our communities!
Give them an extra pat on the back! Especially
if they're working on Labor Day!
Hope you enjoy your extra day off and that
all your NEWS is good!
Unions have come under a lot of fire over the
past few years.
There's no question they improved the lives of
many working men and women over the years.
But Labor Day isn't a time to salute unions.
It's a time to remember the people who
labor every day to support themselves and their
families, our country and our communities!
Give them an extra pat on the back! Especially
if they're working on Labor Day!
Hope you enjoy your extra day off and that
all your NEWS is good!
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