“Eight-hour day with no cut in pay.”
At least, it was during the last twenty years of the 19th century.
The last major economic disruption of technology, society, culture, politics and economics occurred at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
We who are living through the second decade of the 21st century, are going through another series of major economic and cultural disruptions right now and have been for at least the last 20 years.
The history of Labor Day though, tends to be forgotten, in light of the seemingly never ending, daily stream of reportage around conflict, uncertainty and social disruptions.
What does this have to do with Labor Day and the establishment of an eight hour a day/forty hour work week?
People these days, seem to do more work for less compensation, and this is the core of the issue of Labor Day, because, inherently, more money equals more happiness, less conflict, lowered uncertainty and more peace.
Right?
Well, if that were so, we would never need a day to celebrate the end of the summer and—tangentially—the eight hour work day.
Right?
-Peace Be With You All-
Jesan Sorrells, MA
Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Email HSCT: jsorrells@hsconsultingandtraining.com
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