Bishops’ Message Stresses Dignity of Work, Economic Equality
Labor Day is an opportunity to take stock of the ways workers are honored and respected, writes the Most Rev. Stephen E. Blaire, bishop of Stockton, Calif., in the annual United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Labor Day statement.
Here are excerpts from the bishops’ message. Read the full message here .
Earlier this year, Pope Francis pointed out:
Work is fundamental to the dignity of a person....It gives one the ability to maintain oneself, one's family, to contribute to the growth of one's own nation.
Unfortunately, millions of workers today are denied this honor and respect as a result of unemployment, underemployment, unjust wages, wage theft, abuse and exploitation.
Even with new indicators of some modest progress in recovery, the economy still has not improved the standard of living for many people, especially for the poor and the working poor, many of whom are unemployed or underemployed.
More than 4 million people have been jobless for over six months, and that does not include the millions more who have simply lost hope. For every available job, there are often five unemployed and underemployed people actively vying for it. This jobs gap pushes wages down.
Half of the jobs in this country pay less than $27,000 per year. More than 46 million people live in poverty, including 16 million children. The economy is not creating an adequate number of jobs that allow workers to provide for themselves and their families. Jobs, wages and poverty are interrelated. The only way to reduce the widening gap between the affluent and the poorest people in our nation is by creating quality jobs that provide a just compensation that enables workers to live in the dignity appropriate for themselves and their families.
Since the end of the Civil War, unions have been an important part of our economy because they provide protections for workers and, more importantly, a way for workers to participate in company decisions that affect them. Catholic teaching has consistently affirmed the right of workers to choose to form a union.
The rise in income inequality has mirrored a decline in union membership. Unions, like all human institutions, are imperfect, and they must continue to reform themselves so they stay focused on the important issues of living wages and appropriate benefits, raising the minimum wage, stopping wage theft, standing up for safe and healthy working conditions and other issues that promote the common good. The church, in accord with her principles on the life and dignity of the human person, wishes to collaborate with unions in securing the rights and dignity of workers.
We honor the immigrant worker by remembering that the building of America has been carried out by so many who fled persecution, violence and poverty elsewhere, coming to America to offer their talents and gifts to support themselves and their families. We welcome the stranger, the refugee, the migrant and the marginalized,
On this Labor Day 2013, let us renew our commitment to promote the dignity of the human person through work that is honorable, pays just wages and recognizes the God-given dignity of the working person.
