We are in the waning days of August. School has started. Hope of fall weather grows - especially this week with triple digit heat impacting us multiple days here in middle Tennessee. Summer is almost over.
But not until after Labor Day.
The meaning of Labor Day was lost on me for most of my life. It has only been in the past few years that I have learned more about the labor struggles, hard fought victories, and setbacks of those fighting for worker’s rights here in the United States. It is a history worth learning.
Many things we may take for granted - a 40 hour-work week, overtime pay, child protections, worker’s safety organizations - were all won through hard struggles. We ought to stop for a moment this weekend and say a little thank you to those who fought for these victories and subsequent rights.
Unfortunately, most of those victories are now being threatened. I spoke passionately a few weeks ago in my sermon (watch here - August 18) in opposition to Project 2025, the 922 page document predominately orchestrated by the Heritage Foundation. It is not official policy, but is well-known to be the frame work for the next conservation presidency, should one attain the White House.
Project 2025 is a despicable document and set of ideas. And on this Labor Day Weekend, I want to point out that it seeks to absolutely erode worker protections.
Here are some examples:
Cutting Social Security
Allowing employers to not pay overtime
Undermining the right to organize and collectively bargain
Weakening child labor protections
Making it easier for employers to discriminate
If you want more details, there are plenty of groups who have done their homework. Here are two of them:
This is not a partisan attack. This is simply make known information that is already public. We as people of God are called to care for the vulnerable and marginalized. Part of our Baptismal Vocation is to work for justice in the world. Project 2025 attacks the vulnerable and marginalized, and is a set of absolutely unjust ideas. We ought to make sure people know what it contains, and advocate that it is never allowed to become official policy.
To celebrate Labor Day is also to help protect what it celebrates. The more we know, the better shape we are in to aid the healing of our world.
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