Each year I am surprised that the Lectionary does not have specific, special readings for Labor Day. I know it is a secular holiday, but the Catholic Church has a long history of social teachings that emphasize the dignity of labor and the rights of workers. Those topics came up this week. There was a proposal this week from the Department of Labor that would require overtime pay for salaried positions whose earnings are under a certain threshold. Think of the shift manager at your favorite fast food restaurant. They manage the crew, are expected to work longer hours but since they are salaried, there is no additional pay. Why do it? The hope of increased wages and promotion. Meanwhile it is not uncommon for hourly workers to earn more than their managers.

In 2016 the law of the land was that overtime pay was required for salaried workers making less than $23,660/year (or $455 a week). The Obama administration proposed raising the threshold to $47,476 ($913 a week) but that was held in abeyance by legal challenges. During the Trump Administration the threshold was raised $35,600 ($684 a week). This week the Labor Department proposed a new threshold of $55,000 ($1,059 a week). The proposed rule is estimated to mean $1.2 billion in additional wages mainly from new overtime premiums or pay raises to maintain the exempt status of certain affected employees.

What are your musings on this news in light of your practical experience, Catholic Social Teaching, and your faith?

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has some summary materials online, excerpting passages from Catholic Social Teaching:

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Rights and Responsibilities of Workers and Labor Unions

In it’s wide ranging teaching on the dignity of labor, here are but a few ideas for your musing

Dignity of Work: Catholic social teaching emphasizes the inherent dignity of every human person. Work is seen as a way in which individuals can express their creativity, contribute to the common good, and provide for themselves and their families. Labor Day can be an occasion to consider our contribution to the common good and our unique, creative efforts..

Solidarity: This is a key principle of Catholic social teaching. It calls for a sense of interconnectedness among all people, especially those who are marginalized or vulnerable. Labor Day can serve as a reminder to Catholics to stand in solidarity with workers, to advocate for just working conditions, fair wages, and workers’ rights.

Subsidiarity: another principle that the Church emphasizes. It suggests that decisions and responsibilities should be handled at the most local level possible, closest to those affected by them. Labor Day can be an opportunity to advocate for policies and practices that respect the autonomy and rights of workers and their communities.

Caring for the Poor and Vulnerable: Catholic social teaching calls on society to prioritize the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Labor Day can be a time to reflect on the economic disparities that exist and to advocate for policies that promote economic justice and reduce inequality.

The Common Good: The Catholic Church teaches that the well-being of society is best served when the common good is promoted. Labor Day can be seen as a time to reflect on how labor and employment policies contribute to or detract from the common good and to advocate for changes that benefit all members of society.