Official White House Photo by Pete Souza(WASHINGTON) — “When workers raise their voices for a fair wage and dignity in the workplace, they sustain the story of America: the idea that if you work hard, you should be able to get ahead, retire with dignity and leave something behind for the next generation, President Obama wrote in an open letter on Labor Day.

“At the beginning of the last century, American workers came together to fight for dignity and justice in the workplace,” he wrote, “they stood up, march, and raised their voices for a 40-hour workweek, overtime pay, a minimum wage, and the right to organize for better pay and benefits.” But, Obama says, in the current economy, American workers still need a voice in the workplace.

Despite the work his administration has done to help rebound from the economic crisis, Obama notes that “too many American families don’t yet feel like they’ve gotten their fair share.”

“As union membership has fallen, inequality has risen,” the president surmises, pointing out how a single employee asking for a raise or benefits is more easily punished for doing so.

If he were looking for a job today, Obama said, “I’d join a union.”

“If I saw a problem in my workplace, I’d organize my coworkers to do something about it.”

“History shows that working families can get a fair shot in this country,” Obama said, “but only if we are willing to organize and fight for it.” And, he said, he expects Americans continue to fight for equality and opportunity, saying “it’s why I believe in you.”

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