For many of us, Labor Day represents summer’s last hurrah. BBQs, picnics, (and your final chance to wear white for the year!) signal the transition to cooler seasons. In fact, there’s a deeper history to the holiday, which was founded out of the labor movement of the 19th century. Learn more about Labor Day’s origins and how you can use your skills to help nonprofits on the front lines of supporting workers today.
The Origins of Labor Day
Labor Day was celebrated informally and in various cities and states beginning in the 1870s. Labor union leaders and activists began pushing for a federal holiday as a way to recognize the contributions of American workers nationwide. The bill languished in Congress for months without much movement. That was until a railroad worker strike interrupted travel and commerce across the country in 1894.
Chicago’s Pullman Palace Car Company went on strike in spring 1894 to protest a reduction in wages. In solidarity, unionized railroad workers across the country refused to work on Pullman train cars and within days, more than 125,000 workers had quit rather than cross picket lines. Bowing to pressure from unions and a sympathetic public, the bill was signed into law in June 1894 with the first federal Labor Day celebrated that September.
Hard-Fought Victories for Worker Protections
Struggles like those of the striking Pullman workers can be found throughout the history of the labor movement in the United States. Victories were hard fought, often violent, and incremental. Decades of organizing moved the needle little by little, eventually leading to protections we enjoy today, from the 8-hour workday, 5-day work week, worker’s compensation, equal pay for equal work, the abolishment of child labor, and more. (Check out Smithsonian Folkways fascinating collection of artifacts to discover more about American labor history.)
The creators of Labor Day intended the holiday as a celebration of the labor movement’s achievements, as well as an opportunity to highlight the challenges still to be overcome. Work may look different than it did at the turn of the 20th century, but there are still significant barriers to employment for many, including those from historically marginalized communities and people with disabilities. Thankfully, there are nonprofit organizations supporting, educating, and advocating for the workers of today, helping to create better workplaces of tomorrow.
Use Your Skills to Help Workers
Check out some of the opportunities available right now on Taproot Plus to use your skills to get involved in workforce development and workers’ rights:
- The Computer Technologies Program offer career training and professional development services to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. They are in need of a videography professional to create a video commemorating the organization’s 5o-year anniversary and highlighting its impact. Their team has a collection of success stories, photos, videos, and student work and looks forward to collaborating with the skilled volunteer. Learn more about this project.
- We Connect the Dots works with young adults from underrepresented and underserved communities to build the skills necessary for careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) fields. They are in need of a research or development professional to identify potential grant funding opportunities to help the organization expand their reach, particularly focusing on capacity building, general operations, program developing, and workforce development funding. Learn more about this project.
- Workforce Professionals Training Institute helps thousands of low-income and disadvantaged jobseekers to achieve economic independence by working across the workforce development sector, forging partnerships with practitioners, funders, and government agencies to create systemic improvements. They have requested a one-hour Session with a marketing professional who can help brainstorm strategies to better communicate what they do to the wider community. Learn more about this session.
- The Steven Spectrum Career Project empowers neurodivergent individuals with the skills, training, and support necessary to success in the workforce. As a newer, volunteer-run organization founded in 2023, they are looking for a grant writing professional to provide advice and assistance on how they can secure grant funding going forward. They need help developing an overall grants strategy, offering suggestions on a draft LOI, and utilizing grant databases. Learn more about this project.
