It's Labor Day and a state union official says today's workers should remember the hard fought benefits they have today.
Stephanie Bloomingdale is Secretary Treasurer of the state AFL-CIO. She says sometimes workers forget the sacrifices others made for them...
"....the 40 hour work week, the weekend, workers compensation, safe work places, overtime protection, sick leave....these didn't come about by accident they are because of the men and women who came before us who fought for these...."
She says these privileges can be taken away....
"....these things can be taken away. These are not set in stone, these are not God-given rights. These are rights that are achieved by working men and women coming together and pushing for them. They've been put into legislation, but remember, politicians can change legislation...."
Wausau is hosting a Labor Day parade this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. The parade starts at the corner of West Wausau Avenue and ends at the Wausau Labor Temple at 318 South 3rd Avenue.
The first Labor Day was held in 1882. Its origins stem from the desire to create a holiday for workers. It became a federal holiday in 1894.
