Labor Day Message from Richard Trumka, outstanding leader of AFL CIO

Before you hit your Labor Day parade or cookout, I wanted to recognize the work you do every day to make this country great—and take the chance to say "thank you." It’s America’s workers who built this country, make it run and keep it going. Take a moment to celebrate Labor Day—watch my video "thank you" and share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and through email.  There has been a lot of talk lately about the future of our country and who should get credit for building America. Frankly, I believe we all deserve credit. Everyone’s work is critical to keeping our country moving. We depend on each other and we should recognize the dignity of all work. My prospects coming out of high school were the local steel or auto factories, the mines or the military. I decided to take the path my grandfather and father took and went into the mines. I spent more than seven years there while working my way through Penn State University and, eventually, Villanova University law school. In the mines I learned, more than anything else, that people need each other, that we depend on each other. It’s a lesson I’ve carried with me ever since. Ray, as someone who cares about working families—whether union or nonunion, employed or unemployed—and the future of our country, I know you understand that work connects us all. Please take a moment to watch my video and spread the message that work connects us all: http://go.aflcio.org/2012laborday In Solidarity, Richard L. Trumka President, AFL-CIO To find out more about the AFL-CIO, please visit our website at www.aflcio.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.    Text WORK to AFLCIO (235246) to join our text action team. (Message and data rates may apply.)