Labor Day--Time of Recommitment

Labor Day, Brooklyn, New York, Bishop DiMarzio, chairman of the U.S. bishops' domestic policy committee, explained:

"is a time to recommit in our own small ways -- to our own work, to treat others justly, and to defend the lives, dignity, and rights of workers, especially the most vulnerable."

Small ways and consistent efforts pay. Bishop DiMarzion recalled one example

the recent landmark agreement between Florida immigrant farmworkers and major corporations, leading businesses to "promise a 'penny a pound' more for Florida tomatoes and a new code of conduct in the fields."

He was referring to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers who worked on behalf of tomato farm workers. CBS News reported that the Coalition indicated that tomato farm workers earn about $7,500 annually, compensation which doest not include health insurance or paid vacations. The extra penny per pound boosts the pay of about 1,000 farm workers employed by Taco Bell suppliers.

Labor Day reminds individuals receiving more ample compensations to work conscientiously and to support efforts, which guarantee fair compensation packages for the "most vulnerable" workers, who very often toil extremely hard in unfair and dangerous conditions.
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David Shankbone's photo of a migrant worker in the U.S. is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.