Celebrating Labor Day

On Labor Day we celebrate the contributions of millions of men and women to the union movement and its profound effect on our nation.  Thanks to organized labor, we have the eight hour day, the weekend, and countless other benefits.  I have been a union member and I come from a union family–my grandfather and great grandfather were proud members of Chicago Fire Fighters Local 2, and my father is a retired member and was an elected officer of locals in the Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

All working people deserve recognition, collective bargaining rights, and fair wages and safe working conditions. We salute unions and workers on Labor Day, but we support and applaud them every day.

I also support the Workers’ Rights Amendment on this November’s ballot.  This proposed amendment to Article 1 of the Illinois Constitution provides that employees have the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions.  A strong and prosperous labor force will help our state prosper and make Illinois an attractive destination for workers.