United Association #725

Posted on Mon, Sep. 07, 2009

Labor unions build on history of progress

BY KENNY SCOTT
www.ua725.org

Americans love Labor Day because we get a day off work, and since it falls on a Monday, that means a long weekend to take a trip or relax with friends and family. But there's more to Labor Day than just time off.

Over the years, the workers of our country have had to unite to gain many of the advantages that we enjoy today. There was once a time when the standard work week was 56 hours, and children as young as 6 were part of the workforce. Working conditions in plants, mills and mines were unsafe and unsanitary. After a lifetime of strenuous labor and meager payment, workers had no resources to provide for their later years.

In 1881, trade representatives met in Pittsburgh and formed the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions, later to be called the American Federation of Labor (AFL). A statement was released in which they swore to ``protect the skilled labor of America from being reduced to beggary and to sustain the standard of American workmanship and skill.''

One year later, the first Labor Day was held on Sept. 5 by the Central Labor Union of New York City. On June 28, 1894, Congress made Labor Day a legal holiday -- the first Monday in September of every year.

But what have labor unions done for America since 1894? Here is a brief list of benefits that have been brought to you by the efforts of organized labor:

• Health benefits
• Unemployment insurance
• Workers compensation
• Safer jobsites
• 40-hour work weeks and eight-hour days
• Grievance and arbitration procedures
• Overtime pay
• Social Security
• Minimum wage
• Public education
• Civil and voting rights
• Pension plans
• Paid vacations and holidays

And the work isn't over. Labor unions still look after the needs and rights of workers and provide them with quality training so they can work safely and productively.

As business manager of United Association (UA) Local Union 725, it is my privilege to be part of America's labor unions, helping to provide quality workers for South Florida contractors.

As a board member of the Air Conditioning Technical Center (commonly known as AC Tech) Education Committee, I help guide Americans into new and rewarding careers. UA pipefitters work on the construction side of the mechanical contracting industry, and their AC Tech curriculum covers everything related to the cooling, heating and process-piping industry from the ground to the roof.

AC Tech, which celebrates its 60th Anniversary this year, provides apprentices with the skills they need to work safely in life-long careers. They can start earning from the day they start learning. They receive a starting wage of $13.95 an hour for the first six months and $14.95 an hour for the next six months. Health benefits kick in after the first year. Once they graduate to journeyman status, they can earn up to $32.10 an hour plus benefits, for a total package of $41.65. In South Florida, careers in air conditioning are a good choice, even during a recession, since air conditioners run year-round.

Labor Day is a yearly tribute to the contributions workers have made to the prosperity and well-being of America. I am proud to be part of today's labor unions, and I encourage readers to seek out additional information on labor unions and apprenticeship training in the South Florida area.