Labor Day In Essex County: Unions, Strikes And Worker Pride

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — When you’re grilling a burger or relaxing with the family this Labor Day weekend, don’t forget what brought you the holiday in the first place, advocates say: the U.S. workers’ movement.

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late 19th century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the contributions that workers have made to America’s “strength, prosperity and well-being,” the U.S. Department of Labor says.

In New Jersey, membership in labor unions grew slightly from 2020 to 2021 according to federal statistics. Union members accounted for 16.2 percent of wage and salary workers in the Garden State last year, up from 16.1 percent in 2020. Read More: NJ Union Membership Rate Grew Amid Pandemic – But With Fewer Jobs

Employment rose in all 15 of the largest counties in New Jersey from December 2020 to December 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported. That includes Essex County, where employment numbers were up 7.6 percent.

Recently, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh summed up the notion that “Americans don't want to work anymore” with one word: nonsense.

“This sour view of workers seems rooted in the belief that they should be happy with whatever they get,” Walsh said. “A deadly pandemic exposed the limits – and the disrespect – of that attitude.” Read More: Labor Day Op-Ed: 'Never Bet Against America's Workers,' Official Says

ESSEX COUNTY: LOCAL FIGHTS FOR WORKPLACE JUSTICE

What's been happening in the workplace lately in Essex County? Catch up with some of our recent labor and workplace stories below (click headlines to read the article).

Montclair Starbucks Workers Unionize, Join 3 Other Stores In NJ

The Montclair baristas cited "understaffing, poorly working equipment and improper training" as reasons why they wanted to form a union.

Nurse Strike At Newark Hospital Ends With New Contract, Wage Hike

After 31 days, the nurse/tech strike at Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark is over. Here's what they won – and why they were striking.

Nurses At Belleville Hospital Form Union; Pay, Staffing Among Issues

Nurses at Clara Maass were hailed as "health care heroes" amid the pandemic. But afterwards, their concerns were ignored, their union says.

Essential Workers Deserve Hazard Pay – And NJ Has The Cash, Advocates Say

It's nice when someone calls you a "hero." But that does not put food on the table for your family, these New Jersey workers say.

DoorDash Drivers Demand 'Tip Transparency' From Company

Do you leave a good tip when ordering with DoorDash? You may be picking up the slack for bad tippers in your neighborhood, a petition says.

Extra Vote Doesn't Stop 'Temp Worker Bill of Rights' In NJ Legislature

A proposed law that would create a "bill of rights" for temporary workers in New Jersey is headed to the desk of Gov. Phil Murphy – again.

300 Cargo Workers At Newark Airport See Long-Awaited Pay Boost

Hundreds of Swissport Cargo Services workers at Newark Airport are seeing bigger paychecks under the Healthy Terminals Act.

NJ Paratransit Workers Push For Equal Pay In 'States Of Emergency'

Union: A bill would "fix inequities" faced by NJ Transit Access Link staff, who are considered subcontractors in states of emergency.

NJ Union Pushes For 'Prevailing Wages' At Bears Stadium Site

A massive redevelopment project is expected to transform the neighborhood. But it should also include jobs with fair pay, union members say.

'Unfair And Humiliating': NJ Temp Workers Deserve More, Advocates Say

For many "temp workers," a typical day on the job includes abuse, wage theft, discrimination and unsafe conditions, advocates say.

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