Brown gives Labor Day speech

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, delivered the following speech today on the Senate floor in honor of Labor Day:

“Yesterday, Americans of all ages – from all segments of society, from hundreds of occupations and professions – celebrated something uniquely American: Labor Day.

“Our workers – tens of millions of hourly wage earners and hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs, farmers and managers, clerks and saleswomen – our workers have built a middle class larger, broader, and more prosperous than any in world history.

They all have one thing in common: they are increasingly more productive, they create greater wealth and larger profits for their employers. Yesterday, The Columbus Dispatch reported that according to the International Labor Organization, American workers are the most productive in the world. The average U.S. worker produces more than $63,885 of wealth each year. But increasingly, they have not shared in the wealth they created – in wages, in health benefits, in a meaningful pension – that highly productive workers in our country used to enjoy.

“Ohio workers are fighting back to build a decent standard of living, to provide opportunities for our children, and to construct a more prosperous and egalitarian society. But our nation – and my state – have struggled: struggled in part because of the federal government's wrongheaded trade policy and tax policy – policies which all too often encourage investors to move jobs overseas. And in part because of a drifting state government, which fell short in educating our young people and did little to erect a manufacturing policy to prepare for our future. In the spirit of Labor Day, let me share the stories of a handful of hardworking, often heroic, Ohio workers who are making a difference.

“Dee Dee Tillman and Carlos Sanchez participated in negotiations representing 1200 janitors in Cincinnati – 1200 men and women who are working hard, raising their children, contributing to their community – and earning not much more than the minimum wage. Joined by their colleagues, they reached an agreement with Cincinnati office building owners. Over the next four years, 1200 janitors will get a $2.95 an hour raise, vacation pay and health benefits for the first time, and a small pension.

“At the other end of the state in Mentor – Roger Sustar speaks out every day for American manufacturing. He recognizes that businesses like his – small manufacturing companies – are vital for the economic security, and national security of our country. And on most Saturdays he volunteers his time to train students in the basics of manufacturing.

“In northwest Ohio, in the flatlands of Henry County, Mark Schwiebert, is a highly productive farmer in an increasingly competitive environment. He is proud of his successful and tidy farm, to be sure, but he also takes seriously his role as a citizen. He is an advocate for family farmers and for fair trade, understanding that the prosperity of Ohio depends on a vibrant rural Ohio where young people want to stay and work in their community.

“Sue Klein, another hero who cares so much about our state, works at a large daily newspaper. She too makes her employer a more profitable enterprise. She works hard, gets rave reviews from her co-workers, is uncommonly devoted to her aging parents, and gives back to her community in a dozen ways.

“On Labor Day, we salute American labor – and Ohio labor. And we celebrate our state's heroes – Dee Dee and Carlos, Mark and Roger, and Sue. We thank them and so many others.”