Letter: Fight For Fair, Living Wages

MALDEN, MA — The following letter to the editor was submitted by City Council candidate Ari Taylor on Sept. 8.

Labor Day holds many different meanings for people, and it’s held different meanings for me as I grew older. Thinking back to childhood, it meant the end of summer and a return to school. As a worker, it meant paid time off or overtime if I needed it. I took this Labor Day to join union workers in solidarity with Local 26, many of whom were fired unfairly and unnecessarily. I heard our leaders speak about how essential workers are the backbone of our lives and how we are often taken for granted. I reflected on the past and what made a strong economy and the result was always the same. Our economy thrives when we value people, working families, and pay a living wage. We have lost our way, no one should have to struggle for survival, not in 2021, not with the resources and knowledge available to us - one job is enough.

Wealth may be a luxury, but basic human rights are not. Food on the table, a safe home, clean streets, and good schools. We can only begin to rebuild our community when we start to rebuild the foundation and give dignity back to our workers. We must insist that our workers are paid and treated fairly, and have the benefit of a work life balance that allows for a decent quality of life. This Labor Day I am reflecting on those who knew the status quo was not working and worked to change it.

Let us not take for granted the protection we have gained by those willing to stand up and fight for a fair society and let us truly honor their fight by demanding and fighting for fair and living wages and a safe and clean working environment #ForAllofUs.

Ari Taylor

AriForMalden.com

Ward 5 City Council Candidate