By Charles Wowkanech

             New Jersey State AFL-CIO President

As you celebrate Labor Day with friends and family, be sure to remember the sacrifices made by working families who have made the rights we enjoy today possible.

Since the 19th century, Labor Day has served as a reminder to all that the labor movement drives our democracy, demanding justice, and equality for all.

This Labor Day, we are proud to celebrate all the working men and women in our state. It is thanks to their efforts and achievements that New Jersey is at the very heart of the national labor movement.

At the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, we have stood with New Jersey’s workers from every sector of the labor movement on the issues that matter most to them, working with legislators to promote the adoption of federal and state laws. In the last year, we walked the picket lines with nurses, electrical workers, educators, building trades and autoworkers. We also represented working families on issues including unemployment insurance for striking workers, paid family and sick leave, the prevailing wage, and ground-breaking legislation for cannabis workers, advocating for labor peace agreements. Committed to continuously updating our state’s transportation infrastructure to respond to the needs of working families, we supported New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund, to ensure that we continue to attract business to New Jersey and keep our state competitive. However, as the November election approaches, the improvements that we have made on behalf of all workers are on the line.

With just 64 days left until one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime, we must all come together to ensure that the voice of labor is heard. The most effective way to protect our right to organize, our retirement security, and our access to quality affordable healthcare, is to vote for the AFL-CIO’s endorsed candidates. We must look to our seasoned labor leaders who have vital on the ground experience and have a first-hand understanding of the issues that impact working families today.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have union member’s backs. They understand that when unions are strong, America is strong. They’ll fight for working people every single day. Now it is our turn to stand with them through the 64 days that we have left until the November Election.

If we take swift action to get out the vote, our efforts will pay off on Election Day. At the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, we are prepared to do the work. Between now and the election, we must staff the phones, organize labor walks, reach voters through the mail, and speak to our members, encouraging each of them to vote.

This Labor Day, we will celebrate the history of organized labor in our country, while we look forward to a union strong future. To protect our rights, we must ensure union members have a seat at the table, at every level of government.

We wish you a restful and reflective Labor Day this weekend, as we prepare to stand together in the upcoming election for the sake of all working people.