The United States will observe Labor Day on September 1, a holiday that honors the country’s labor movement and the contributions of workers. The history of this day traces back to the efforts of unions, which fought for rights such as weekends, 40-hour work weeks, child labor laws, workplace safety, and equal pay.
Unions began organizing nationally in 1866 with the formation of the National Labor Union (NLU) by William Sylvis. Although the NLU brought together many workers, it did not admit African-American members and dissolved after economic downturns. However, unionization continued with groups like the Knights of Labor in 1869, which included women and African Americans. By 1886, they had grown to 750,000 members and advocated for various reforms including restrictions on child labor.
Labor activism sometimes met violent resistance. In May 1886, peaceful protests for an eight-hour workday turned deadly at Haymarket Square in Chicago when violence broke out between police and demonstrators. The aftermath led to increased global awareness about workers’ rights and contributed to the creation of International Workers’ Day on May 1. In contrast, U.S. politicians promoted Labor Day in September as a less controversial alternative.
Despite opposition and setbacks—including court decisions striking down worker protections—unions persisted. Over time, legislative victories such as the Keating-Owen Act (restricting child labor), Norris-LaGuardia Act (banning anti-union contracts), and the establishment of the Department of Labor helped shape modern labor conditions.
The Great Depression saw renewed activism among industrial workers. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration passed New Deal legislation like the National Industrial Recovery Act in 1933 that set maximum hours and minimum wages while protecting union activity. Though this act was later struck down by the Supreme Court, it paved the way for stronger protections under laws like the Wagner National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was also formed during this period.
A major milestone came with passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in 1938, which established federal minimum wage standards, an eight-hour workday, overtime pay requirements, and prohibited dangerous or exploitative child labor practices.
In subsequent decades unions expanded their focus to include civil rights issues such as gender equality and anti-discrimination measures at work. Laws like the Equal Pay Act and Civil Rights Act further advanced these goals by prohibiting pay disparity based on gender or discrimination based on race or national origin.
Worker safety became a priority with passage of legislation such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) in 1970 under President Richard Nixon. This law created federal standards for workplace health and safety.
However, some groups remained excluded from key protections—for example farmworkers were left without federally recognized collective bargaining rights despite years of activism culminating in California’s Agricultural Labor Relations Act in 1975.
Florida educators played a significant role in state labor history when more than 35,000 teachers staged a walkout in 1968 to demand better pay and funding for schools after anti-strike laws were passed by lawmakers. Their actions eventually led to county school boards being required to negotiate professionally with educators—a development that laid groundwork for collective bargaining rights under Florida’s Public Employee Relations Act (PERA) in 1974.
Further expansions followed with laws like Americans With Disabilities Act (1990) requiring reasonable accommodations at work for people with disabilities and Family and Medical Leave Act (1993), granting job-protected leave for family or medical reasons.
While much progress has been made through union efforts over generations, current challenges remain including attacks on child labor protections in Florida as well as ongoing debates about paid parental leave policies nationwide.
“Through unions, we’ve transformed workplaces, won dignity, and reshaped our democracy,” reads part of a statement reflecting on Labor Day’s significance from Florida Education Association leaders. “By the power of our collective voice, we will continue pushing toward a future where every educator…can live the American Dream.”
“At the core of our work as educators and unionists is a simple truth: we do this for our students and for the future we all deserve,” continues their message about ongoing advocacy efforts tied to Labor Day events around Florida.
This year Floridians are encouraged to participate in local AFL-CIO events marking Labor Day celebrations across communities throughout [the state](https://flaflcio.org/).
