Interim Associate Dean of Law Career Development and Alumni Relations and Adjunct Professor
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, was established in 1894 as a national day of tribute and rest to celebrate the contribution of workers to all of our communities.As you enjoy your long weekend, I encourage you to reflect on the broader significance of the day and to consider ways in which law and society is evolving to impact working people.
Check out this useful wrap up of labor law cases from the 2014-15 U. S. Supreme Court term.
Also, Labor Day does not speak to the existence of slavery, or stolen labor, and its continued impact on our economy and society. Consider this blog post on the historic legacy of slavery on the generation of wealth in our country and globally. Moreover, the use of slave labor continues legally in the United States, albeit limitedly, as slave labor was legalized with adoption of the 13th Amendment “as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted…” Consider this recent blog post identifying seven top US companies that continue to make significant profit through the use of free or radically underpaid, imprisoned labor.
Finally, all of us at LCD want to acknowledge how hard our students and graduates work every day, balancing work, school, family and community demands. We thank you for your contributions to our community, culture, politic and society.
