Isn’t it weird that Labor Day seems increasingly irrelevant.  Yes, there may be an editorial in a paper or news outlet, but very little coverage of the working class and, particularly, little coverage of working class struggles.

May Day Strong and some other coalitions have focused on various mobilizations in preparation for the shit show that could happen with the November election.

But organized labor–and this is not new–doesn’t seem to really have any idea what to do with Labor Day.  Labor Day parades are frequently done on a day other than Labor Day, allegedly so that members and supporters can do picnics.  There is little in the way of education and almost no discussion of the fact that in the USA we celebrate Labor Day in September when almost the entire planet celebrates it May 1st!

Each Labor Day I am reminded of the notion that class consciousness develops in the context of class struggle.  In other words, it is not that workers suddenly realize “…hey, I am working class…” and then they engage in struggle.  It is far more integral.  This does not mean that some or even many workers don’t see themselves as “working class,” but there are frequently different interpretations of that, interpretations far different from what most of us would conclude.  I remember reading some material by Andrew Furuseth, a legendary leader of the International Seamen’s Union and the Seamen’s Union of the Pacific.  Some of these writings sounded Marxist until you would turn the page and he would go into a rant about the alleged threat to white labor by Asians!  But he thought of himself as a working class hero and, more importantly, much of organized labor thought the same about him.

“Working class” may be an identity for many, but “class consciousness” is both a realization and a collective practice.

The absence of attention to Labor Day speaks less about the decline of trade unions, and more about the manner in which class struggle has lacked cohesion and organization.  It is not that workers aren’t struggling.  It is more the extent to which they and others see that struggle as linked with the struggle of other workers, whether those workers are here in the USA or overseas.  It is that essential connection that was never summed up better than in the slogan “Workers and Oppressed Peoples of the World, Unite!” which must be articulated and practiced.  Discussing the revitalization of trade unions in the absence of a class struggle and social justice practice is an exercise in futility.

I think that we know that we have our marching orders and many battles in the workplace, communities, on the electoral front, globally…to fight.

As the great Rod Serling would suggest, after a commentary, I submit this for your consideration.

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