Labor Day Statement by Congresswoman Betty McCollum

St. Paul, MN – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement, regarding Labor Day 2011.

"On Labor Day, America pays respect to the men and women who work to keep our country prosperous, strong and successful. This Labor Day our country faces two great challenges: the need to put millions of Americans back to work and the battle against anti-union politicians supported by anti-union corporations. Job creation and protecting the rights of workers to organize, collectively bargain and have safe working conditions go hand-in-hand. The struggle for worker rights, dignity in the workplace, and quality employment for all Americans are top priorities for Democrats in Congress.

"In contrast, Tea Party Republicans both in Congress and campaigning for the White House are gleefully working to break unions, strip unemployment insurance from innocent victims of this recession and are unwilling to work with Democrats and Independents to create jobs. Their agenda is to destroy labor unions and the rights of workers.

"This Labor Day should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans who value their workplace rights. We can no longer take the hard fought rights of workers for granted. We only need to look at what happened to public employees in Wisconsin to know that. The very existence of organized labor in the United States is at stake in the coming year."

Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees.

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