BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement in celebration of Labor Day, which is Monday, September 5, 2016.

“On Labor Day, we celebrate the resiliency of American workers, whose hard work and dedication define the strength of our great nation. Thanks to their innovation and perseverance, America continues to lead as the world’s largest economy with one of the most productive workforces in the world.

“Labor Day is a time to honor the women and men in Maryland and across the country who clock in day after day to support their families and their communities.  We need to make sure that anyone who wants to work can find a quality job with the wages and benefits that can support a family. While job growth continues to improve month after month, there are still far too many hardworking Americans struggling paycheck to paycheck. We need to do a better job ensuring American workers have the education and training they need for the economy of today and the future. And we must take concrete actions to address the growing issue of income inequality, ensuring that quality education, housing, and health care are available to all Americans. We also need to help Americans better plan for retirement so that after years in the workforce, people can enjoy the fruits of their labor.

“I will continue to support Americans’ right to organize through unions that have protected the rights of American workers and their families across the private and public sectors.  The success of American unions and collective bargaining helped to build our middle class and those who look to gain political points by attacking labor unions are harming working families across this country.

“On this Labor Day, I thank the Marylanders and all Americans who work so hard every day to make our nation and its economy thrive.”