DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement in celebration of Labor Day

“Today, many Americans will celebrate Labor Day with their friends and families. Countless others will go to work and do their job just like any other day.

“Every American worker has contributed to building America into what it is today and what it can be in the future. But one Monday in September is not sufficient recognition of their contributions. There is no good reason why any American who works hard day in and day out should have to raise their family in poverty. With women acting as the primary breadwinner in 40 percent of households with children, unequal pay hurts women, their families, and our economy.

“Organized labor in America is responsible for securing many of the workplace standards and protections that we take for granted, from child labor to weekends. I am proud that the Democratic Party is working with American workers to achieve the next set of policies that hardworking Americans deserve, including an increased minimum wage, paycheck fairness, and improved family and medical leave policies. Republicans have not only opposed these policies, but sought to diminish the capacity of unions to represent the interests of workers.

“This year marks 120 years since Labor Day was first recognized as a federal holiday in 1894. In that time, we’ve made extraordinary progress to restore to workers the dignity to which each of us is entitled. It is critical that our nation remain steadfast in that commitment moving forward if we are to be an America where economic security and opportunity are available to all.”

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