Candidates Praise Unions on Labor Day (9/4/07)

Candidates for President were out in force on Labor Day, addressing crowds of working people. Democratic candidates shared common ground in their support for working families and the unions that bring them a voice in the workplace.

At a rally held by the South Central Federation of Labor in Iowa, Senator Hillary Clinton of New York talked about the role unions have had in strengthening the middle class.

"Unions gave dignity and respect and improved working conditions to million of Americans, and we need to make sure you have the right to organize and bargain collectively in the 21st century," Clinton said. “We’re going to have a president that respects the contribution of working people."

Senator Joe Biden from Delaware and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson also spoke at the Iowa event. "White collar workers have finally figured out the only reason they have health care, the only reason they have job protection, the only reason they have safety requirements on the job is because of organized labor," Biden said. "But they've learned one other thing: They've learned the companies that they counted on to keep their word have thrown them overboard."

Richardson stated that bolstering union numbers would be a top priority for him if elected. He said he would accomplish this through pushing federal laws that would make it easier for unions to organize workers and to seek an end to right-to-work laws.

At a Labor Day rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, Senator Barack Obama from Illinois called for legislation that would help working families and "policies that actually value their work."

"Let's provide them with a living wage. Let's allow our unions do what they do best again - organize our workers and lift up our middle-class," Obama added.

At a rally in Pittsburgh, former Senator from North Carolina John Edwards told the crowd that ""America wasn't built by Wall Street," and added that the country was strengthened by "men and women who worked with their backs and hands and hearts."

Labor Day served to remind working families of the strength unions have provided and the gains that working people have made. It also reminded the candidates that working people and their unions are keeping a close eye on them as the primaries approach.