I realized a couple of days ago that this will be my first Labor Day in years to have off from a job. I guess that’s what happens when you work service industry jobs. A couple of years ago, while driving to work on Labor Day at 5 in the morning, I noticed that the only other people up at that hour on that day were going to low-wage jobs — it was us — the coffee makers and donut sellers and dry cleaners and maids and cashiers and tellers, and all of us whose jobs are a service to the white collar types.
joshua worked at Cafe Brazil that same day, and while he was refilling a man’s iced tea, the man said, “isn’t it great that everyone has the day off today?” Bless my husband for not pouring tea in the man’s lap.
Maybe I’m wrong, but didn’t Labor Day start so the working class could have a day off to enjoy their families? Why is it that this holiday has been taken away from the working class again? So i have a proposal.
This Labor Day, don’t do anything and don’t go anywhere that would require a minimum-wage (or slightly above) worker to have to work. That means: skip your coffee for a day. Don’t drop off your laundry. Eat at home. Drink at home. Get gas and and your groceries on Sunday. Insist that we ALL should have this day off.
Pass it on.
amen and amen. after 10 years in the service industry, i wholeheartedly agree.
amen and amen. after 10 years in the service industry, i wholeheartedly agree.
amen and amen. after 10 years in the service industry, i wholeheartedly agree.
ok - i did NOT post that three times…..
ok - i did NOT post that three times…..
In theory I am one hundred percent with you on this, absolutely; in reality, I am sick as a dog (however sick THAT’s supposed to be) and returned to my apartment late last night to find that I had no soup or crackers or orange juice. (!!) So I’m going to have to go to the grocery store. But that’s it! I promise! (Also, I’m AT work right now– does that give me karma points? :P)
Anyway, I am deeply deeply thankful that there are people working at the grocery store today, and am saying so here to assuage guilt. Thankyouthankyouthankyou.
Great idea, though today is my first day on the job. The water bottlers never get the day off, either.
och…good idea. stupid labor day. i always had to work on labor day at the whole too. if people are going to have to work (and it does seem like some people will have to, like doctors and pharmacists and 7-11 employees) they should get paid time and a half, or double time. it seems that the business gained by staying open when others are closed should recoup the personnel expense.
i must admit that i went to the grocery store yesterday. but i am sorry, and apologized to the poor folks at ralph’s.