Enjoy your Labor Day holiday? The reason we celebrate Labor Day is largely because of the contributions made by unions to the betterment of America’s workers. The numerous beneficial influences of organized labor cannot be ignored. Most of the benefits workers now enjoy are directly attributable to unions.

To cite but a few:

• The 40-hour work week.

• Paid holidays and vacations.

• Sick leave.

• Grievance procedures.

• Collective bargaining.

• Generally superior wages.

Unfortunately, succeeding generations have come to take those benefits for granted. Those benefits came about because of unions and soon became the norm for union workers and many non-union workers as well.

All American workers owe a debt of gratitude to organized labor for its achievements.

Paul G. Jaehnert

Vadnais Heights