Walking through CarolinaFest in Charlotte, N.C., this past Labor Day, you could buy a funnel cake, ride down a bouncy slide—and hug a union “thug.”

Compliments of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, the Hug A Thug booth featured teachers, firefighters, nurses—just about everyone who’s a union member and/or thug, depending upon your political perspective. The union movement's "hug a union thug" campaign poked fun at conservative attempts to scapegoat union members.

Below are excerpts from Labor Day Greetings union leaders.

AFT President Randi Weingarten:

It’s a day to honor the deep commitment each of us has to serve the children we teach, the families we heal and the communities we love. It’s a day to reflect on the values we hold dear—that every American should have access to a good job that can support a family, with access to affordable healthcare; that every child should be able to attend a high-quality public school in their neighborhood.

If you haven’t sent a thank you e-card or video to the people whose work you appreciate, Labor Day is the time to do it.

Barbara J. Easterling is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans. She was previously the secretary-treasurer of the Communications Workers of America.  

As we near Labor Day, I want to encourage you to help younger generations better understand why labor unions are so important. Too many people either know very little about unions or only know what politicians and Fox News tell them.

Berry Craig, recording secretary for the Paducah-based Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council and a professor of history at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, is a former daily newspaper and Associated Press columnist and currently a member of AFT Local 1360. Craig sends us this.

Jay Latham never cuts his grass on Labor Day.

The 82-year-old UAW retiree from Benton, Ky., would rather rev up his yellow and green riding mower for Labor Day parades in nearby Paducah. Latham is in the lineup for the 37th annual end-of-summer holiday procession in the largest town in deep western Kentucky.

We're kicking off the Labor Day weekend with a very special "thank you" message from United Way President and CEO Brian Gallagher, to a union member who changed his life. Watch the YouTube video in the post. Gallagher also thanked all the union members and affiliates of the AFL-CIO for their community service efforts across the country. 

Don't forget to send your own video or free e-card to someone whose work you appreciate at www.aflcio.org/ThankYou. 

Mei Cobb, vice president of volunteer & employee engagement at United Way Worldwide, sends us this.

In the United States, we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September to recognize the economic and social contributions of working men and women. This Labor Day, I’d like to recognize two groups of union members who are volunteering in support of United Way initiatives.

Several new economic reports out in time for Labor Day point to long-term trends that are driving a declining standard of living for America’s middle- and low-income workers. Here’s a quick summary (click on chart to expand).

U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis sends us this. 

Today, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you, the working men and women of America. You remain the beating heart of the greatest middle class in the world. Thank you for your commitment, your talent, your hard work and your service to this country. On behalf of everyone at the Department of Labor, I'm honored to wish all of you a great Labor Day.

What are you doing this Labor Day weekend to celebrate everything workers do to make our lives better and our communities strong?

Here are a couple ideas.

First, thank someone you know for all his or her hard work.

Next, take time out to honor the sacredness of work by joining with faith communities and union members through a Labor in the Pulpits/on the Bimah/in the Minbar event.