In 1882, 10,000 workers marched through New York City to demand fair wages and better working conditions. That was the first Labor Day parade. It wasn’t about barbecue — it was about bargaining.
Unions shaped much of 20th-century America. They secured weekends, overtime pay, healthcare benefits, and safer conditions. Membership peaked in the 1950s at one-third of the workforce. Today it’s closer to 10%, but their legacy remains.
The story isn’t over. We’ve seen a resurgence of union activity in recent years: auto workers, airlines, Hollywood writers. These strikes are not relics of history — they’re live negotiations shaping wages, prices, and even supply chains. When auto workers walk out, it’s not just Detroit that feels it. It’s the car lot down the street, and the inflation reading next quarter.
Markets pay attention. A major strike can nudge CPI higher, shave GDP lower, and move investor sentiment. Labor disputes are not just “worker vs. management” — they’re ripples across the entire economy.
And yes, humor has its place: the first Labor Day parade had 10,000 workers marching through New York. Today we’d have 10,000 influencers trying to film the parade without being in it.
Labor’s legacy is both historic and ongoing. The right to bargain, strike, or simply demand fair treatment isn’t a side note — it’s part of the economic story that Labor Day commemorates.