As with everything, it's all a cycle. For one who knows his/her history, it can't be helped but to sit back and notice eerie similarities to the olden days before there were Unions. Before the Unions' inceptions, a single person had to work 12+ hours a day, seven days a week. There were no vacations. There were no breaks. There was no family, sick, or bereavement leave. If you were late, or missed work, you were fired. If you complained or were injured on the job, you were simply fired. Most importantly, there was no minimum wage, so you were competing with others for your spot for, literally, fractions of a penny. And, when it was all said and done at the end of the day, you felt lucky to have work.

Naturally, human beings were tired of the terribly unsafe conditions, and mostly the widening gap between the "haves" and the "have nots." The American Worker had had enough, so they marched and protested until things had to get better for the 'average man.' The result is represented by Labor Day (see our blog edition from last week for more on Labor Day). But, look at us now.

To get the life we feel we are entitled to, we work more than 12+ hours a day, maybe not seven days a week, but definitely 6 on most occasions. We do not take vacations like we are entitled to, because we want/have to make more money. We don't take breaks, and usually eat lunch at our desks/stations. There are millions of workers out there not making minimum wage and over 2 million Americans working full time and living under the poverty level. We are constantly in fear of losing our jobs, and will forgo overtime/double-time in promise for comp time (that we will never take) so that we may keep the job we are scared of losing. 

Yes, Unions have helped the American Worker thrive and achieve greatness in the workforce, but what can Unions do now that most Union jobs are being outsourced to foreign countries willing to work under the same conditions Unions were against since they were born? That is, indeed, the question. America is at a tipping point when it comes to its workers. Any decisions we make as a country toward the matter over the next short while, will definitely tip us in one of two ways, and we will see if our old ways will save us, or if there will be a new type of Union to tip us in the right direction. We must, however, not let history repeat itself.

So, go out and celebrate Labor Day. Persuade others. If it's more of a vacation for you, buy locally. Use local services. Travel within North Carolina. Save your money wisely, but try to save a little extra to spend for fun, and try to always spend it here: the greatest country in the world - USA. 

From all of us here at Regional Auto Center, have a great Friday and a Happy and Safe Labor Day weekend.