“America’s working men and women are the cornerstone of our country, and our essential workers have always been just that: essential to all Americans in every walk of life. Never has this been more apparent than during the COVID-19 pandemic, as America’s frontline workers have kept our country going. We owe them a great debt. From essential workers in health care and at our supermarkets, to our food processing facilities, to our retail stores and beyond, essential workers have been there for us throughout the pandemic, and often at risk to themselves and their families.

“We must continue to stand up for these workers even beyond the pandemic, and push for safer workplaces, higher wages, and better benefits, and we must protect their right to join a union and make their jobs and their lives better.

“President Biden believes in the American worker and in unions, declaring that, ‘Unions lift up workers, both union and non-union,’ and this Labor Day, we look forward to continuing in partnership and in shared values to ensure that workers’ rights are defended.

“This Labor Day, we are also mourning an invaluable and tireless fighter for working people: AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Our friend Richard Trumka was a man who was willing to go toe to toe with anybody if it meant creating a fairer and more equitable society where all of us have our voices heard, and today we reaffirm our commitment to fighting for the values he held dear. As Democrats and allies of working people, there can be no greater tribute to his legacy than continuing to fight for better lives for all working people and their families.”