This past July 4th our nation celebrated its independence as many working families gathered to watch parades and fireworks that celebrate a country predicated on endless opportunity. For centuries, people have flocked to America, where we dream that no matter the circumstances of birth, anyone can work hard and achieve a better life.

In case you missed it, The New York Times published two articles last weekend that captured the dramatic disparity between workers’ wages and executive pay at large corporations across the country. While median working family incomes fell last year, median CEO and executive compensation skyrocketed and lucrative executive retirement packages continued to expand. These lucrative plans, known as “Golden Parachutes,” have increased despite years of public outcry as companies have chipped away at workers’ pensions and retirement plans. At the same time, a coalition of CEOs and corporations are advocating cuts to earned Social Security and Medicare benefits as they rake in lavish retirement and bonus packages.

Facing the possibility of 80 million private-sector workers losing access to workplace protections and labor law enforcement before Labor Day, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and allies today held a Day of Action, calling on the Senate to confirm the five current nominees to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The Give Us 5 campaign also is working to end Senate Republicans’ tactics to cripple the NLRB, including legislation to defund the board, shut it down and curtail its work, and legal challenges that have stalled justice for many workers.