Labor Day is about more than barbecues and a three-day weekend.

It is a day owned by every one of us, to honor our contributions to America's strength and prosperity. Today, we're looking at more than 13 million private-sector jobs created since 2010, and 66 consecutive months of private-sector job growth. That is prosperity that we created together. And it deserves to be recognized.

The problem is that far too many Americans still aren't sharing in that prosperity.

As we continue to emerge from the depths of the great recession, the challenge before us is to make sure more Americans get a slice of the pie that they helped bake. America, after all, is stronger when more people have more.

Last month, I hit the road to meet hardworking Americans standing together to raise their voices. Whether it's making sure an honest day's work earns a fair day's pay, or insisting that no one should have to choose between the job they need and the family they love, Americans across this country are showing that small conversations at the lunch table can lead to big changes at the boardroom table.

It starts with a conversation. And you can commit to start one today right here.

You can tell us about how you  or someone you know stepped up in your workplace to push for a change, whatever your issue may be -- from better wages to workplace fairness to greater equality.

And here's what's next:

On October 7, we're hosting a Summit on Worker Voice at the White House. The Summit will rally workers, employers, unions, organizers and others to bring attention to both the new, innovative ways that workers are coming together to have a voice in their workplaces, as well as the proven practices -- like collective bargaining -- that have sustained the middle class for generations.

As history has shown time and time again, there's no limit to what we can accomplish when we speak up with one voice. We are, after all, stronger together.

So add your voice: Say you'll start the conversation.

Happy Labor Day.

Thanks,

Tom

Secretary Tom Perez
Department of Labor
@LaborSec

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