This Labor Day, Thank Unions For Boosting Wages

Labor Day is now seen as the official end of summer and a day off (at least for those who actually get paid holiday leave) to grill or go to the beach one last time. But when it was originally conceived as a federal holiday, it was as a concession to the labor movement after bloody union unrest that left 30 striking workers dead.

It was meant as a day to celebrate the efforts and sacrifices of unionized workers. A shrinking share of Americans are union members today. But the benefits brought about by the union movement are still just as strong, particularly when it comes to workers’ pay....
https://thinkprogress.org/labor-day-unions-wages-6bf2dc0be8bd#.gfer9kujs