News 12 at 6 o'clock / Monday, September 6, 2010

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga.-- For many people, labor day means a day off work. One last taste of summer. But for one group, labor day means much more.

For a long time labor day was the time for workers to complain about their jobs or industry. For many people now, though, it's a celebration of how far the working class has come.

Local 1579, a union for electrical workers, has been in Augusta since 1948. Today, they celebrate their own jobs and organized labor in America.

"Labor day started in 1882 in New York City, and it's just migrated all across the country. And this is the day that people who work in the country celebrate." Business manager Kenneth Ward says this year, their annual barbecue is more important than ever before.

Kenneth explains, "We're very fortunate to have this work. Unfortunately across the country the unemployment for the working class people is very high- it's extremely high now. I think that celebrating labor day will tell more people that this is an important day for people who do work in the United States."

Unemployment in Georgia is nearly 10% and 11% in South Carolina. Both are higher than the national average of 9.5%.

But even people like Marion Reid who are looking for work say today, they're taking a break. "Well labor day is a good excuse not to look for work! I mean if I was working I'd be off anyway so that's a waste of time. The weather's too nice to cut grass."

The unofficial end to Summer also shifts the focus on the November elections.

Russell Edwards, congressional candidate for the 10th district, says Labor day is also a day to appreciate the standards labor unions helped establish. "We have great things like the five day work week, a forty hour work week, paid vacation.It's a good day just to relax and celebrate all those achievements that the American workers have helped put in place for our society."

Russell adds, layoffs this year have hurt thousands of local workers. "We have record unemployment in this area...if we can direct more federal funding to important facilities like the Medical College of Georgia, then we can help attract more private investors to this area which will create more jobs for this area."

Edwards is running against Paul Broun in the 10th district. Broun has a town-hall this Thursday in Elberton where he, too, will be talking about jobs and money.

Marion says, "That's what's kind of funny. We all work so hard, and we don't have time to take a day off. So it's just nice to have something set aside."

They say whether you are looking for a job or taking the day off from one, it's a holiday to be thankful for.