Labor Day Notes

Work and the lack of it are a central theme of politics in this presidential election year. Locally, the issue of day laborers, primarily Latino, is still unresolved, despite various political promises to both the job seekers and those who object to them congregating on corners.

Labor Day used to be largely a celebration of unions. For a look at membership in 2011, take a look at  information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

South Plainfield will be holding its annual Labor Day parade and fireworks today,starting at 10 a.m. The linked newspaper article notes that the borough is funding the fireworks with corporate sponsorships. Now there's an idea!

In Plainfield, unions that have been working without contracts since the end of 2009 have now pretty much settled. A couple of contracts are on the Sept. 4 City Council agenda.

Whatever you do today to mark Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer, have a great time! If you are grilling, try spiral-cut hot dogs!

--Bernice