"Labor Day has long been associated with celebration: A celebration of the work we do, whatever that work looks like," said NYSUT President Karen E. Magee in her keynote address at the Central New York Area Labor Federation's Labor Day event at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. "It's a celebration of our history and traditions. A celebration of our progress and success...."
"But, this year, Labor Day feels a bit different to me. It feels different because, while we may still be in a celebratory mood, we’re also in a fighting mood. We’re fighting for a fair and just economy. We’re fighting to fix the nation’s economic imbalance that we know was created by design … created by the wealthy elite and political extremists who have gone out of their way to stack the deck against working people. We’re fighting for better wages for the working poor. We’re fighting wage theft and overtime abuse. We’re fighting for more opportunity and for shared prosperity for all of us. And, as a longtime teacher and president of the union that represents New York’s public school educators, I am so very proud that we’re fighting for kids, their families and for the future."
Watch the complete address and view photos below.
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