What’s this day about?

Historically, the concept of Labor Day originated with the strike of the McCormack factory workers in Chicago in May 1886 over the struggle for eight-hour workday.
It is a day set aside primarily for blue-color workers. White-color workers are not considered “labor” by many people. It is for this reason that labor day covers a good deal of the history of blue-color workers.

Through blue-color workers’ groups, gains have been made on five-day workweek, equal pay act, civil rights act, family and medical leave act. But perhaps this day has become less meaningful as the country moved from an industrial to a post-industrial society. Then there’s the new Information-Age group of workers brought about by Information Technology.

A quick glimpse into history–Naval administration of the Northern Marianas–shows that originally, there were a lot of blue-color workers right after the war. It wasn’t until the late fifties that locals started moving into white-color jobs, i.e., primarily as clerks in government offices. Over the years, more locals moved into white-color jobs in both sectors.

So how have we celebrated this day historically intended for blue-color workers?

For the politically poised, it was a day so designed to allow the powers that be to set-up its next prospect for the most coveted seat. If I recall, it was only once that a combined celebration was held–public and private– of this day. Otherwise, it has been and continues to be purely a political event granting candidates a field day among government employees, the largest voting bloc.

How sad that this day is hardly a celebration for blue-workers in these isles. It is an occasion best observed by bringing all laborers (non-white-color workers) to a specific venue to thank them for their positive contributions. It should include hotel employees, construction companies, garment factories, and the dedicated public sector blue-color workers.

Yes, I have had my share of blue-color jobs. It includes a stint as a janitor, construction, stevedoring, gas attendant, among others. And on this day, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to a former employer (the late Albert S. Camacho) who gave me a job in the early sixties as a construction worker. I worked and earned every penny of my first $37.50 for sand papering louvers for two weeks at what was then Hopwood Sr. High School.

To this day, I still work hard (as publisher) that begins at 4 a.m. every morning, net surfing, selecting AP stories for the next day’s publication. This is followed by a two-hour writing session (editorials and personal commentaries). My day begins every Sunday when most others head to the ranch or beaches for picnic.

If anything, I salute local blue-colors who put in more than 30-years of service in the public sector. These are the old folks who never lived to see the day when they can claim retirement paychecks. Many have died before the retirement program came into existence. They have expired bone tired to their last ounce of energy to provide for their families. Definitely, they deserve the accolades for their perseverance and superb work ethics.

Information-age workers are also faced with their own set of maladies on the job. It includes eyestrain due to working before computer screen for eight hours. Then there’s the stress of keeping up in a constantly changing work environment brought about by technological advances. Oh, yes, there’s a common affliction for computer users–carpal tunnel syndrome–that would be around for the rest of this century. And whatever you make of this day, have a good one!