WASHINGTON, DC -n Labor Day 2014, Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:
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This Labor Day, working Americans face great challenge. Bedrock American values like equal access to opportunity and freedom are under attack. As our country takes stock of what Labor Day means to them working Americans across the country are sparking a new movement, joining together for an economy and democracy that work for all us, not just a wealthy few. Social and economic justice must go hand in hand for our nation to thrive.۬۬

"Fast food workers have joined together to fight for $15 an hour, and are ready to take their campaign to the next level. They have been joined by home care workers, adjunct professors, airport workers, security officers, hospital workers, Wal-Mart workers and other service sector workers are standing up and sticking together. Working people in Seattle fought for and won a $15 minimum wage for 100,000 people and other cities are poised to do the same.

۬۬"Aspiring Americans across the nation have taken action to fix our broken immigration system, marching, fasting, even taking arrest outside the halls of Congress. In the wake of the taking of Mike Brown's life in Ferguson, Missouri, thousands of people stood up in cities across the nation to call for justice in our communities.

۬"We need opportunities for ALL Americans to fully participate in our economy and our democracy. American workers need to be able to improve the quality of life for their families. That's why we must also fix our broken immigration system and uphold and protect civil rights and democratic participation for all Americans, not just the wealthy few.۬۬

"When we stick together we can raise wages, raise our communities, and raise America so we have an economy that works for everyone and a democracy where everyone has a voice."

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