A Labor Day Message

Nearly 1,000 “worker over billionaire” protests are being planned, in all 50 states, during the Labor Day weekend. The protests are actions organized by labor unions, and advocacy groups, in opposition to the Trump administration’s policies. The actions include marches and rallies in cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and even Palmer, Alaska and Freeport, Maine.

Let me remind you of two things. First: while union numbers are high, as a percentage of the workforce, membership is lower than it’s ever been. Second, having been both an employee and an employer, employers can almost always be choosier than employees. The why is simple. There is almost always someone more than happy take your job if you don't want it. Unless one is willing to risk their life savings to start a business of their own, employees are far more dependent on employers than the other way around. The protests prove that argument. How? Because people who aren’t dependent on others… have no need to protest Trump labor policies. They earn their money despite any government policy.

Among the policies being protested, are the Trump administration’s attempts to rescind collective bargaining rights from 1 million federal workers. I will admit, this is wrong. Everyone should have the right to bargain their wages. On the other hand, every employer should have the right to fire your ass if they can find cheaper labor. Your employer is not your parent. They have no obligation to support you.

Allegedly, Trump wants to cut minimum wage requirements for federal contractors from $17.75 an hour to $13.30 an hour. Personally, there shouldn’t be a minimum wage… anywhere. Supply and demand will dictate what wages are proper for any given job. If an employer offers too little, no one will take the job. Only when an offered wage is high enough, will someone accept it. That becomes the minimum wage for that job at that given period in time. Governments don’t need to set one.

The actions come as public support for labor unions supposedly remains strong. A national poll conducted by the AFL-CIO, and David Binder Research, found trust in labor unions is at 55% – larger than either political party. Despite that, remember… the percentage of union workers is at an all-time low. Unions once had a legitimate purpose, but today they protect too many workers that should be fired, not coddled. Unions also caused companies to send hoards of manufacturing jobs overseas to countries with pennies-on-the-dollar labor.

If you really believe in workers over billionaires, put your actions where your mouth is. Give up that Amazon account, that Facebook account, that X account, that Google account, that Microsoft account. Quit shopping at Walmart. You’re the reason Bezos, Zuckerberg, and the Walton family are rich. Start shopping locally instead of online. Support local jobs provided by mom and pop local businesses. Small towns aren’t going by the wayside because of Trump.

If you don’t like your wages, quit and start your own business. I promise you, for most, riches don't come easily or by only working 40 hours per week. Instead of protesting on Labor Day because you feel used by billionaires, celebrate Labor Day... because in America, one still has the right to create their own work destiny - and no, it won't be easy. It's called work for a reason. Labor Day isn’t about dependence; it’s about the independence to control your own career.