John,

When my first husband, a union electrical worker with IBEW, died in a tragic workplace accident, his union brothers and sisters were there for me. When he died, I had a young son and another one on the way -- I didn't know how we'd make it through that winter. But with the help of Social Security, and Rod's hard-earned union benefits and union brothers and sisters, I got back on my feet. I don't know where I'd be without our unions. I certainly wouldn't be here today without them.

This day is personal to me, but I'm not the only one unions have given a hand up to. We have unions to thank for the weekend, workplace safety protections, anti-discrimination laws, 40-hour workweeks, child labor laws, the minimum wage, and so much more. But today also serves as a reminder of all the work that we have left to accomplish, including strengthening the rights of workers to organize, implementing national paid family leave, raising the minimum wage, and closing the gender wage gap.

That's why we celebrate Labor Day. Today, let's reflect on the sacrifices the labor movement made and continues to make -- and rededicate ourselves to continuing the fight.

Today and every day, I stand in solidarity with our workers. As your next senator, I will continue to fight for unions and workers' rights across the country.

Have a wonderful Labor Day.

Thank you,

Theresa