Other than having a day off today, there isn’t much reason for “labor” to celebrate. Unemployment is close to 10% (I’ve seem estimates that the “real” unemployment rate is more like 17%), there appears to be little chance of getting meaningful health care reform, money-changing middlemen who add no value get billions in taxpayer dollars to keep doing what they’ve been doing, and “labor” is forced to eat shit, just to keep their jobs.

A case in point where I live is a company called Crucible Steel. The Sanderson brothers came over from Sheffield, England in 1876, and opened up a steel plant here. It was the beginning of what would become a 13 plant corporation. As is the American way, buyouts and mismanagement ensued, to the point where the company – with three plants left – is on the verge of bankruptcy.

A potential buyer – BlackEagle Partners – demanded the Steelworkers local accept a new contract, including major wage cuts, increases in health insurance premiums, the elimination of retiree health insurance, and the switch from a guaranteed pension plan to a 401(k). Workers had little choice, and accepted the new contract by a 4 – 1 vote. BlackEagle hasn’t actually secured the financing at this point, so the deal could still fall through, leaving some 700 families without health insurance or a primary wage earner.

Of course, this isn’t unique in a current economy that’s lost a net 7 million jobs in the past two years. It certainly isn’t unique here, where companies founded locally have been bought out by corporate vultures, only to be run into the ground and moved to the third world (or Mississippi), where they can pay slave wages and don’t have to worry about poisoning the environment.

Carrier, Syracuse China, Syroco, GE, New Process Gear, Pass & Seymour…. Too many to list, either completely gone, or mere shells of their former selves. Now, the largest employers in the areas are the SUNY hospital and Syracuse University – and even they’re seeing hard times (especially with Governor Blinky holding Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements hostage and demanding pay cuts or layoffs).

So, for those of us lucky enough to have jobs with health insurance and who are getting today off with pay, have a good holiday. And try not to worry about whether it’ll all be gone tomorrow.