Labor unions have gotten a bad rap over the last decade or two. Some of the complaints are justified, as a shortsighted desire to squeeze every nickel out of business owners has contributed to some of the systemic problems of American industry. But there’s plenty of blame to go around on that front.

People tend to forget that things that even nonunion workers take for granted were won by the hard work of union members willing to get their skulls broken by Pinkerton goons. The 40-hour work week, paid vacations, and employer-funded health care are things that we can thank the unions for. My grandfather fed eight children during the Great Depression thanks to his union job, and I would not have had the opportunities that I’ve had in my life were it not for my grandpa’s union job.

So as you celebrate Labor Day tomorrow, put aside the beer and barbecue for a moment and show some gratitude to those who have come before you in the workforce.

Uncle Tupelo “Coalminers” (comp. Sarah Ogan Gunning)
The recent mine collapse in Chile has reminded us all that mining is indeed the most dangerous work in our world today. Thankfully the miners are alive and should be rescued in a couple of months. I do feel sorry for the one guy who had his wife and his mistress run into each other during a vigil outside the mine. That’s going to be a hellish thing to deal with after three months underground.

Lone Pine “Workingman’s Palace” (Jon Langford)
I think the fact that he’s a Welshman living in America has given Jon Langford a keen eye for the aspects of America that the natives have either grown accustomed to or would prefer not to see. There’s a great line in this song about how “everybody’s feeling strange about their lives and who’s to blame.” We’re seeing how economic uncertainty has led to a great deal of resentment toward immigrants these days. In the end the subject of the song will just meet you at the the workingman’s palace, the corner bar where things are like they’ve always been.

The Blues Band “Maggie’s Farm” (Bob Dylan)
Years before Johnny Paycheck, Bob Dylan was telling his boss to take his job and shove it. Jobs used to be so plentiful in America that if your boss was a bastard you could tell him to go scratch and go find another job. These days everybody is so anxious about keeping their jobs that bosses have free reign to abuse the help more than ever before.

I don’t know anything about his band, but I wonder if their name comes from the fact that they completely lack imagination or that they are so arrogant that in their minds they are indeed THE blues band.

David Lindley and Wally Ingram “Do You Want My Job?” (Little Village)
People need to feed their families and sometimes they have to take distasteful jobs in order to do it. It’s so sad that the guy singing this song is poisoning his home for two dollars a day so he can buy his kids sneakers.

James Madison Quartet “Work For Food” (Dramarama)
I’m not a big power pop guy, but I love Dramarama. Their album Vinyl is one of the most perfect ever made. The subject of this song is troubled but he denies a problem with his attitude.