September 7, 2020 (Monday)
Troy Conner and I visited the Federal Building in Houston in 1942 and got our Social Security cards. I worked at secular jobs from the age of 11, and learned a few things about working for a living.
My most intensive education about “the working man” came in the automobile assembly plant, where I worked when I was a seminary student, and where perhaps 2,000 people were employed. My job every morning was to prepare a “manpower report” for my department before the assembly line started moving. The human factor was all-important in the construction of an automobile. From the first I could sense the tension between “Labor” and “Management.”
Many years before, the Industrial Revolution had changed everything. Little by little the lines were drawn between Management and Labor. At first, the working man was simply a commodity, a cog in the wheel of manufacturing that had no representation as decisions were made about production. This resulted in some tragic uprisings of workers, violence and grave discontent. Finally, the workers organized and the owners and bosses began to listen to them. Out of all this and much more, the labor movement was born and ultimately a day was set aside to honor and show appreciation for the workers of industry. We call it “Labor Day” and it is observed the first Monday of September every year.
I was raised with working people. My father was a machinist. An uncle was a welder. Another, a carpenter. Some were painters. The list goes on: policeman, bus driver, restaurant workers, cannery workers, and on it goes. I went to school with the children of working people. So I appreciate the emphasis of Labor Day as a promotion of self-esteem and pride in one’s occupation. I was also raised with business owners and I know very well that there are always two sides to an issue.
Labor Day is thought of as the last day of summer, but it represents much more. I have not tried to analyze anything in this blog; I’m just recognizing the importance of Labor in the forward progress of this nation. As we all grow in understanding and appreciation of others in our economic system, we will all benefit. The Golden Rule is never inappropriate in any sort of relationship; it works well in the workplace whenever applied.