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While I was preparing today's message I was reminded of the famous Hale-Bopp comet that passed us by in 1997.

I remember watching it from a motel parking lot in Brunswick, Maine where I was working at the time.

Anyone remember where you were when you first observed the Hale-Bopp comet? I read that it was most visible from the northern hemisphere and could be seen over a period of about 18 months.

If you missed it, don't worry, it'll be back -about year 4380. Myself, I won't be around that long -I don't know about you.
*****

As you prepare to do "what you will" over this holiday weekend, please reflect on this:

Excerpted from: The Iron Molders Journal editorial, September 1896.

"Of all the holidays of the year, Labor Day, to the unionist, should stand out as of preeminent importance ...It should be recognized not as a reminder of our servitude or our dependence. But as the day on which labor arises to do honor to its self. ..."
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And this about that, excerpted from the IBEW Journal / Sept. 1989:

The Iron Molders' 1896 reference to servitude and dependence was not an idle comment.

In September of that year the second anniversary of the declaration of Labor Day as a national holiday, unspeakable working conditions, unthinkable hours and total management control were facts of everyday life for most every worker.

In 1882, several years prior to the declaration of the national holiday, the first Labor Day parade was held with approx. 10,000 participants in New York City on Sept 5.

According to *Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper*, the union marchers, carrying signs and banners bearing such slogans as "8 hours of work, 8 hours of rest, and 8 hours of what we will" won "hearty applause from spectators who lined the sidewalks."

Labor Day has become an important symbol in the elevation of the worker - from a position of servitude and dependence to the honored place today's union craftsmen (and women) hold.
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And, now this from Dave -

In recent years we have seen Labor Unions take some real heat and a huge reduction in membership. I am old enough to have seen some of the blood and treasure lost in the pursuit of better working conditions, a better quality of life, a better standard of living.

Of all the benefits most of us enjoy today, whether you are a union member or not, not even one was given freely by management.

They were fought for (quite literally) and taken.

It did not come without loss of wages while walking a picket line and in some cases, spilt blood and broken bones -and, yes, the occasional loss of life in the process of convincing management to sit down and negotiate the above.

I share this with hope that you all will reflect on what we have, on those who came before us -many of your own ancestors who fought for what we now (many of us) take for granted -while you hopefully, thoroughly enjoy your Labor Day holiday -"the day on which labor arises to do honor to its self."

P.S. As a reminder, you can engage with us at our Facebook pages -we love to hear from you!

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