Labor Day in the 21st Century

Every September, most Americans take an extra day to relax, visit extended family or take one last trip to the lake before their children's school year is fully back in swing. This extra day of vacation is Labor Day, a day that most Americans are able to enjoy, but few know the purpose of observing. The Department of Labor defines Labor Day as a "yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." And as another Labor Day comes and goes it is an opportunity for us to evaluate the changing needs of our country's modern workforce.

For over 100 years Americans have observed the holiday on the first Monday in September. But in the past century, when most of our labor and employment laws were established, the working world was very different. Now, in the 21st century, we need to put laws and protections in place that are relevant to our dynamic workforce. And changes that we make need to give greater flexibility to workers, provide more access to affordable health care and ensure that common sense reforms that recognize the modern realities of family life are embraced.

One thing we need to take into consideration when modernizing our labor laws is the contemporary make-up of American families and the changing role of the family bread-winner. Now more than ever families are working to balance the jobs of parent and provider. In addition, more mothers are working full or part time to contribute to the family's income. That's why we need legislation like H.R. 6025, the Family-Friendly Workplace Act, to allow employees to choose to take comp time in exchange for overtime hours worked. No worker should be forced to take comp time instead of overtime pay, but that should be a choice we give to the American worker. This is just one common sense way to accommodate our country's changing workforce.

The rapidly rising cost of health care is also putting a great deal of economic pressure on American families and small business owners. And access to affordable health care coverage is a fundamental part of the American Dream. We've got to take steps to drive down the costs for consumers through tax incentives, medical malpractice reform and allowing small businesses and individuals to pool together through "associated health care plans" that will give them the buying power - and negotiating power - of America's big corporations. And while there is much more that can be done, I do not believe a government-run, one-size-fits-all approach is good for patients, doctors or the taxpayers. The answer to our health care challenges will be found in the free market, not through socialized medicine.

As another Labor Day comes and goes it is a reminder of all the ways that we can and should bolster those who are working to provide for themselves and their families. We truly have a dynamic and hardworking workforce. That's why we have to put policies in place that accommodate the modern needs of our labor force. After all, having a strong and healthy workforce is in the best interests of every American and is critical to securing our country's future.