Monday, September 5, 2016

Happy Labor Day

My father was born in 1909. He left home at age 15 and went to sea. He told me that the seamen were treated like animals.  That was before the union.  Master Mates and Pilots Union.  I was born in 1947 and while I was growing up, I had no idea how much I owed to that union.  Thanks to it, my father earned a wage that supported our family in a decent lower middle class lifestyle. My father had a stroke in 1964 and his union paid his medical insurance until the day he died in 1972.  So, happy Labor Day and thanks for so much we now take for granted. 

5 comments:

Hattie said...

This is the perfect response to anyone who says we don't need unions.

Rambling Woods said...

Happy Labor Day!.. I was just reading about my Grandfather's participation in the first Buffal teachers union strike ....

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Perfect tribute and reminder of the real meaning of the Holiday.... It is so easy to forget. Even for those of us whose families have benefited from membership .

eileeninmd said...

Hello, love this tribute to your father and for Labor Day! Enjoy your weekend!

Anonymous said...

Wonderfully said. Unions also affected my life. Thanks Florence.