Labor_Day_parade_Buffalo_NY

 

Monday September 6th is Labor Day

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City.  In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.  Cleveland was also concerned that aligning an American labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair.  All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.  Pictured at right is a photo of a Labor Day parade on Main St. in Buffalo NY in 1900.

 


CIty Council Votes on Food Tax

food_tax2While police fraternities/sororities did not even bother to show up, PLEA, community partners, and Fire stood side-by-side in addressing the Phoenix City Council of the importance of a limited, aggressive, adequate, and reasonable food tax to maintain the essential services of public safety as well as other city departments. Public Safety Manager Harris was the only City Department head in attendance.  PLEA and Paul Barnes, speaking on behalf of a growing community coalition, shared the necessity of a two year, 4% per year food tax with further budget reductions.  This 4% food tax/budget reduction plan will stay layoffs citywide and maintain a variety of city services through this difficult economic period.  The Council voted 6 to 3 to utilize a 5 year 2% per year food tax.  PLEA and the community coalition feels this direction is too little too late.  Input at community budget meetings in February for the 4% “surge strategy” is important.

CLICK HERE to view a recent KTAR News piece on the topic posted Feb 2, 2010.

CLICK HERE to view a recent KPHO News 5 article on the topic posted Feb 2, 2010.

CLICK HERE to read a recent News 5 story on the topic posted Feb 3, 2010.