Brooklyn, NY – Here in New York State, Labor Day heralds the end of summer and the start of a new school year. But it's so much more than a day to gather with friends and family. It's a time to honor the people who keep our economy running, grow and make our food, manufacture and transport goods, teach our children and protect our health. This Labor Day, Sept. 4, take time to remember the contributions of the workers who built this nation and continue to make it strong.

"Because of the hard fought wins of those original workers who sought to protect their interests, we have better wages, reasonable hours, and safer work conditions," said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte. "There was a recent column in the Los Angeles Times by Patt Morrison entitled, 'Without unions the middle-class is vanishing. Without a middle-class we have no democracy,' which is an interview with labor leader and civil rights activist, Dolores Huerta, and she speaks to the aggressive effort to dismantle the labor movement. We should all be concerned about this as a weakened labor movement poses a threat to the country's economy."

However, as our economy moves forward today, we want to acknowledge the important contributions of all workers. No matter the job, everyone deserves a fair wage and safe working conditions. To that end, the Assembly Majority has led the way in ensuring New York's workers are treated with respect and have an opportunity to get ahead and provide for their families.

From fighting for a higher minimum wage – because an honest day's work should always result in an honest day's pay – to spearheading a paid family leave program, which begins this January, the Assembly Majority knows that New York State is only as strong as its workers. That's why the Assembly also remains committed to ensuring equal pay for equal work, because it's unconscionable that, in 2017, women are still making only 80 cents for every dollar a man earns, with disparities even greater for women of color.^[3]

"However you choose to spend your Labor Day weekend," said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte, "I hope you'll pause to thank and recognize all those workers and activists who have fought so hard for fair wages and better working conditions. They have an ally in me, and I'll always make their voices heard."

Please feel free to contact our office with any questions or concerns you may have about this or any community issue at 718-940-0428 or bichotter@nyassembly.gov.

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[1] dol.gov/general/laborday/history

[2] labor.ny.gov/about/history.shtm

^[3] aauw.org/research/the-simple-truth-about-the-gender-pay-gap