DNC Chair and former Labor Secretary Tom Perez and DNC Vice Chair Maria Elena Durazo released the following statement on Labor Day:

“Today, we honor the American workers who have built this country brick by brick, from the ground up. They’re the ones who rise before the sun – or tuck their children into bed before going to work. They’ve made our country what it is today and will continue to shape it for generations to come.

“But, as so many American workers have told me, our country is not where we need it to be. Education is getting more expensive. Wages have stagnated. Inequality is rising. That pathway to the middle class trod by generations before us is becoming steeper and narrower. All the while, corporations are enjoying major tax breaks and higher profits thanks to the Trump administration.

“This is nothing new. For decades, Republicans and their wealthy corporate allies have been chipping away at workers’ rights, weakening unions, and depressing wages. As Democrats, we know the middle class is the backbone of our economy and our country. That’s why, when I was secretary of labor under President Obama, we fought like hell for working Americans.

“Democrats believe our economy should work for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. And while Republicans continue taking aim at the labor movement, Democrats will keep standing shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters. Because we know these fights aren’t just about dollars; they’re about dignity.”