14 Worker Struggles To Pay Attention To This Labor Day

Sure, to some people #LaborDayIs about barbecues and fashion rules. But #LaborDayIs also about, you know, labor. Today, workers across the country are struggling for decent wages, safe workplaces, affordable healthcare, and even basic civil rights.

North Carolina's Moral Monday

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Gov. Pat McCrory (R-NC) and the North Carolina legislature have passed huge cuts to state unemployment insurance, an overhaul of the state tax code, big education cuts and the nation's strictest voting restrictions. Lead by the NC NAACP's Rev. William Barber, North Carolinans of all stripes have gathered by the thousands to for huge weekly "Moral Monday" protests to stand up to Gov. McCrory's agenda.

Learn more about Moral Monday and check out some sweet protest photos.

Oh and thanks to @sherierb for the thumbnail photo.

The Wisconsin Solidarity Singers

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After the huge protests in 2011 against Wisconsin's new collective bargaining restrictions, Gov. Scott Walker and his allies changed the rules at the state Capitol Building in Madison, requiring protesters to have permits. His reasoning? Um, none.

The Wisconsin Solidarity Singers had been gathering in the Capitol every day to protest the Walker agenda through song, and suddenly their gatherings were illegal. Singers started getting arrested. In response, hundreds of Wisconsinites joined their singing brethren to stand up to the ridiculousness of the arrests and the broader anti-worker Walker agenda.

Learn more about the Solidarity Singalong and read more intrepid reporting on the protests from John Nichols.

The fast food strikers

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On August 29, fast food workers in 58 (!!!) cities went on strike for better wages and a voice at the workplace. Learn more from Josh Eidelson and check out some awesome strike photos on our Tumblr.

Walmart associates seeking respect

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Walmart, the nation's largest employer, pays low wages, inconsistent schedules, and little to-no health benefits. But across the country, Walmart workers are organizing primarily for respect at the workplace.

Learn more at ForRespect.org.

Philadelphia teachers, students, and parents

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First, Gov. Tom Corbett cut over a billion dollars from public education in Pennsylvania. Then Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and school officials demanded $133 million in concessions from school employees. Philadelphia teachers, students, and parents are marching, striking, and even fasting to call attention to their city's school crisis.

Houston wage-earners fighting against theft

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Houston workers are fed up with employers committing wage theft - not giving a last paycheck, making employees work after punching out, etc. - and are pushing the Houston City Council to pass a wage theft ordinance.

Learn more from the Down With Wage Theft campaign.

Washington, D.C. retail workers

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The D.C. City Council passed the Large Retailer Accountability Act (LRAA) in July, which raised the minimum wage for big box retail workers to $12.50/hour. Walmart responded by freaking out and threatening to cancel construction of their D.C. stores. Mayor Vincent Gray has still not made up his mind about whether to cave to Walmart's wishes or stand up for D.C. retail workers at stores like Walmart, Best Buy, Macy's, and Target.

Learn more about the LRAA and D.C. retail workers.

Albuquerque minimum wage workers

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In the 2012 election, Albuquerque voters passed a minimum wage increase with 66 percent of the vote. But in 2013, Albuquerque's Republican Mayor Richard Berry and members of his city council refused to enforce the new law.

No joke, they are actually telling workers who make as little as $4 or $5 an hour to hire private lawyers to sue their employers. That's their solution.

Needless to say, Albuquerque workers aren't taking this lying down. Working America and allies have launched a "Got Your Raise?" campaign to pressure city officials and educate workers about their rights. Learn more about the situation in Albuquerque or click here if you prefer your news in "Breaking Bad" form.

Concert tour dancers and choreographers

Last year, music video performers won a groundbreaking union contract after, establishing workplace standards for the industry after decades of advocacy.

Now, the Dancers' Alliance and SAG-AFTRA are launching #theUNIONIZEtour to ensure that performers on concert tours have workplace protections, access to affordable health care, and a fair shot at gigs.

Watch the video above and learn more here.

LGBT workers in 29 states

Thanks to the activists who came before us, we have federal laws saying that you can't be fired for being old, female, pregnant, or disabled (yay!). Unfortunately, in 29 states, there are no such protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender workers. That's why workers' rights and LGBT groups are organizing to pass a strong Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

Learn more from Pride at Work.

Transgender workers in 33 states

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Add Maryland, Delaware, New Hampshire, New York to the map above. Pride at Work has great information on this too.

Domestic workers

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Millions of domestic workers, mostly women, are employed by households and businesses across the country. Most of them have little to no worker protections - no minimum wage, overtime pay no nothing.

State by state, domestic workers and allies have worked to pass "Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights" to establish basic protections. Ai-Jen Poo, founder and director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (and Working America board member #plug) told The Nation that President Obama might soon bring domestic workers under the protections of the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which would be "one of the most significant victories for low-wage workers of this administration."

Learn more about the Ai-Jen and the NDWA.

Mississippi auto workers

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Auto workers at Nissan in Mississippi have been trying to exercise their basic right to form a union, but are getting blocked by the company. Lethal Weapon/workers' rights star Danny Glover has been active in calling attention to the situation. Not only that, but Nissan workers in Brazil, France, and South Africa have expressed solidarity. Learn more at DoBetterNissan.org.

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Danny Glover: He's not too old for this. #LethalWeaponJoke

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Solidarity in Brazil.

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No big deal, it's just Common. (!!!)

Finally: 11 million undocumented workers and their families

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Establishing a path to citizenship isn't just about immigration. It's about bringing millions of undocumented workers out of the shadows, where they are currently vulnerable to every employer abuse imaginable.

Learn more about the connection between workers' rights and immigrant rights here.

What did we leave out?

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There's a lot more going on that we didn't cover. Feel free to keep the list going in the comments below, and visit WorkingAmerica.org for more information on how you can get involved.