Reflecting on Labor Day There Are Still Issues to Fight For and Causes to Champion
By Commissioner of Labor Leslie Osborn, Guest Columnist
Originally published in The Oklahoman on August 29, 2024
As we celebrate Labor Day this year, it is an opportune time to remember the women who have helped pave the way in advocating for the workforce in our state and country.
Frances Perkins was the first female, and longest serving U.S. secretary of labor in our nation’s history. She was also the first woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet. She was a huge proponent of workers' rights causing President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to nominate her as secretary of labor in 1933. She presented him with a list of things she wanted to fight for, including Social Security, unemployment insurance and the minimum wage. To this day, the federal Department of Labor building in Washington, D.C., is named the Frances Perkins Building.
Here in Oklahoma, one of our pioneers was Kate Barnard, the first woman to be elected to a statewide office in 1907. She was a tireless advocate for workers' rights and social reforms. As the commissioner of charities and corrections, she fought for child labor laws, better working conditions, and the rights of women and children.
As I grew up and pondered a future career, I remember that I had never seen a female plumber or a male nurse. I’m glad that, in my lifetime, we have put away those gender stereotypes and instead have focused on passion for the job, ability and work ethic. As the third female elected state labor commissioner, I am proud to have followed in the footsteps of Brenda Reneau and Melissa Houston. We must continue to fight for inclusiveness and an agnostic attitude toward gender in professions. The old adage of telling our children that they can be whatever they want to be has never been more accurate.
Today, there are still issues to fight for and causes to champion. In the last few years, several states have passed laws to weaken child labor laws to aid in workforce shortages. Those states are now seeing higher high school dropout rates. The temporary fix of a youth helping out their family then leads to low educational levels and a life of minimum wage jobs. Let’s advocate for safety nets to help those children and families to get by, while allowing our kids to graduate and attain profitable employment and opportunities that will last a lifetime.
Another issue being pushed in legislatures across the country is the ability to allow businesses to reclassify their full-time employees as independent contractors. This allows the business owner to stop paying for pensions and health insurance. In a state that unfortunately has low educational outcomes and high poverty, we once again see the victimization of the working class. As often as we see improvements in things such as workplace safety, we have to watch that we do not go backward in other areas.
So, as we commemorate Labor Day this year, let’s remember the groundbreaking women who have helped shape our labor movement and continue to fight for fair, safe and inclusive workplaces. My personal hope is that we support all of our citizens in reaching their full potential, while championing equity and opportunity in all professions.
