Labor Day is coming up on September 7th and we’re ready… let’s look at what this holiday is about. We know that “Labor” is people doing work and labor is also a verb, meaning the work itself. We ‘labor’ and we also are ‘labor’. At AMS we refer to our Associates – the men and women who are laboring in our warehouses and offices as our ‘Associates’.
AMS has tremendous respect for our Associates. We offer them fair pay and excellent benefits. And we salute them on Labor Day! There would be no fulfillment without our Associates. They are appreciated, valued and respected. AMS always has had, and always will have, integrity. We give all due credit to the labor that makes us successful, accurate, efficient and highly valuable to our clients.
What Google Says
“Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.
“Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states. After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.”
How Did It Start?
Apparently, some say that back in 1882 a man named Peter K. McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, suggested setting aside a holiday for the laboring classes. He was the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. Others say that it was a Machinist named Matthew Maguire who proposed the holiday in 1882. He was serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.
Google offers the following on the subject: “According to the New Jersey Historical Society, after President Cleveland signed the law creating a national Labor Day, the Paterson Morning Call published an opinion piece stating that “the souvenir pen should go to Alderman Matthew Maguire of this city, who is the undisputed author of Labor Day as a holiday.” Both Maguire and McGuire attended the country’s first Labor Day parade in New York City that year.”
Victories Won
We are told that the labor movement started in the late 19th century during the industrial revolution, when workers organized to demand fair pay, safe environments and an eight-hour workday. Workers deserve to be safe and fairly paid, and allowed an eight-hour shift, and we are grateful for the victories they won.
Every laborer deserves respect and acknowledgement, and at AMS we are more than happy to celebrate our Associates on Labor Day. There would be no achievements without Labor, and we like to put the credit where it belongs! Thank You to each and every Associate who labors at AMS Fulfillment – you are the essential element in our successful service to our clients. Happy Labor Day!!
