Labor Day: The Dignity of Work

Farming teaches you pretty quickly that work matters. You get up early, put in the hours, take care of what’s in front of you, and hope the weather and the markets cooperate.

You take pride in what you produce, even when the work is hard and the outcome isn’t entirely in your control.

That’s what Labor Day means to me.

But respecting work also means making sure that work provides a path forward.

If someone is working 40 hours a week, they ought to be able to afford the basics. That’s why I support raising the federal minimum wage and strengthening the Earned Income Tax Credit.

I also believe workers deserve a fair shot by joining a union, organizing, and bargaining together. I support the PRO Act because workers should have the freedom to stand together and have a voice in their workplace. And I’m proud to have the endorsement of the AFL-CIO in this election.

There are other things we can do to make work pay: affordable childcare, better access to job training and apprenticeships, stronger community colleges, and an economy that rewards work instead of simply rewarding whoever already has the most.

I don’t believe government can manufacture dignity. But government can impact the conditions for a working person to build a good life.

This Labor Day, I’m thinking about the people who get up before daylight, work the farm, punch the clock, open the shop, drive the truck, care for our kids, build our homes, teach our children, and keep our communities running.

That’s the work that makes Louisiana.

And it’s worth respecting.

Opportunity in unity, for One Louisiana.

Jamie D.

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