Labor Day is not just about picnics and barbecues. It's also an opportunity to reflect on the choices that will define our future.
With just nine weeks until one of the most crucial elections in modern history, workers across America find themselves at a crossroads. Early voting begins soon and is more important than ever.
At the heart of this election is the future of workers. There is a fierce battle being waged to shape the perception of which party can stand on the side of workers, especially trade unionists and workers fighting to form unions, a key voting bloc that will determine the outcome of the November election.
But the facts are clear: The Democratic Party is the party of working people, and the Biden-Harris administration has been the most pro-worker administration of our lifetime.
From day one, this Administration has prioritized working families, invested in good union jobs, and advanced an often-overlooked cornerstone of our society: the care economy. Many care workers Women of Colorproviding essential services to our communities, caring for children, the elderly and people with disabilities. They are the backbone of our society, but their contributions have been lost for a long time. Undervalued and underpaid.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, caregivers have been on the frontlines risking their lives to protect and serve others. The Biden-Harris Administration will recognize their invaluable role and Bold Action To support these workers, we have created new rules for safe staffing of nursing homes, made historic investments in in-home care and child care, and put in place policies to ensure families have the support they need to thrive.
But that doesn't mean the Harris-Walz team can take for granted the support of union members and union families. A key component of a worker-centered platform must be continued investment in the care economy. This includes fighting for paid family and medical leave, affordable child care, and in-home care for seniors and people with disabilities. These policies will not only boost the morale of care workers, but they will also strengthen our communities and economies.
Looking to the future, the choice we face in this election couldn't be starker. One path leads to a brighter, more inclusive future for all working people — a future where economic, gender, and racial justice go hand in hand. The other path turns back the clock, undoing the progress we've made, and putting corporate profits above working families.
One particularly troubling sign of opposition intentions is the Heritage Foundation's recent publication of Project 2025The sweeping 900-page plan outlines Donald Trump's vision for a second term in office that will destroy workers' rights.
Project 2025, the brainchild of President Trump's top aides, would make it easier for employers to dismantle unions mid-contract and ban public employee unions altogether. State governments would outlaw unions, eliminate overtime protections, and ignore minimum wages. They would also: Repeal child labor laws It protects children from dangerous jobs in meatpacking plants and mines.
Despite attempts by the Trump campaign The distance itself These proposals speak for themselves: More than 140 people who worked in the Trump administration Contributed to this blueprintThe same men who engineered policies that harmed workers during his first term are now plotting even more aggressive anti-worker policies for his second term.
In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (Democrat) are committed to protecting and expanding workers' rights. Signature Commitment The passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act) is just one example of how this Administration will continue to advocate for higher wages, improved benefits, and safer working conditions. Walz has already He demonstrated leadership In Minnesota, we have proven ourselves a staunch ally of unions and working families by implementing many of these policies.
This Labor Day, as we celebrate the labor movement's hard-won victories, we must not forget the challenges that lie ahead. Unions are not only critical to our economy's future, they are essential to the future of our democracy. show When workers have more power, countries develop fairer economies, stronger social structures, and healthier democracies. In polarized times, worker organization brings greater benefits. Citizen Participation Increased support We demand policies that benefit all communities.
Every day from now through November 5, we will demonstrate that it is a Democrat who truly stands with working people. The Biden-Harris Administration has shown that with strong leadership and a commitment to justice, we can build a future that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.
April Verrett is president of SEIU and Pamela Shiffman is president of the Democracy Alliance.
