President Biden Highlights Labor Union Importance and Economic Recovery in Philadelphia’s Labor Day Parade
President Biden Highlights the Significance of Unions and Economic Recovery at Philadelphia’s Labor Day Parade
President Biden, widely recognized as one of the most pro-union leaders in history, is scheduled to visit Philadelphia for the annual Tri-State Labor Day Parade. During this event, he’s expected to emphasize the importance of labor unions in the United States and discuss the ongoing economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Labor Day: Celebrating the Workforce
Labor Day, a holiday dedicated to celebrating the workforce, aligns with a period of robust job creation and an increasing labor force participation rate in the U.S., achievements that President Biden intends to highlight as he seeks re-election in 2024.
Thriving Job Market
Biden stated, “As we approach Labor Day, it’s essential to acknowledge the robust job creation in the U.S.” Following the announcement that 187,000 jobs were added in August, Biden praised the resilience of the labor market despite the Federal Reserve’s imposition of high-interest rates.
Positive Trend Despite a Slight Rise in Unemployment
Although the Labor Department’s report indicated a slight uptick in the unemployment rate, rising from 3.5% to 3.8%, it’s important to note that this increase was due to a positive trend: 736,000 people actively sought employment in the previous month, the largest number since January.
Promoting Union Organization
Throughout his tenure, President Biden has used executive actions to advance worker organizing, publicly supported unionization efforts at major corporations like Amazon, and authorized federal funding for union members’ pensions. Recently, his administration proposed a new rule to make an additional 3.6 million U.S. workers eligible for overtime pay, the most significant increase of its kind in decades.
Investing in Infrastructure and Union Labor
Biden has also embarked on a nationwide tour, spotlighting how unionized labor contributes to infrastructure development, including the construction of bridges and enhancements to train tunnels, as part of the bipartisan $1.1 trillion public works package enacted by Congress in 2021.
The Importance of Unions in Building the Middle Class
Biden emphasized, “Unions elevate standards across various industries and the workforce, resulting in increased wages and improved benefits for all.” He added, “You’ve heard me say many times: Wall Street didn’t build America. The middle class built America, and unions played a pivotal role in shaping the middle class.”
The 36th Annual Tri-State Labor Day Parade
The 36th annual Tri-State Labor Day Parade and Family Celebration is organized by the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, a coalition of more than 100 local labor unions, collectively representing more than 150,000 workers.
