Powerful reminder

It is with sincere gratitude that I write to thank the PG's Marylynne Pitz for her article about the Pressed Steel Car Strike of 1909 ("Bloody Sunday," Aug. 16). I cannot stress enough the importance of honoring those who fought this battle. People often take for granted many of the benefits they come to expect on the job. The eight-hour day, the weekend and a fair wage are all rights that do not come automatically with a system of unregulated capitalism.

Philosophically, we live in a free country. Economically, we live in a country where money affords some more freedom than others. We lack regulations that protect workers from abuse. Like the Haymarket Riot of 1886, the Ludlow Massacre of 1914 or the Battle of Homestead of 1892, people fought and died for the right to safety in the workplace and a decent wage.

Despite the fact that this strike altered the course of history, this battle and others like it are often left out of our children's history courses. Unfortunately, when we forget our history, we repeat our history. Take the current battle over the Employee Free Choice Act, for example. Over the years, labor law has become so weak that it provides little to no protection for workers trying to organize their unions. We find ourselves, again, fighting for the most basic of rights.

We need more articles like this to serve as a reminder of the need to reverse our unfettered race to the bottom. Thank you again, Ms. Pitz.

LAUREN SUKAL
Western Pennsylvania Jobs with Justice
Mt. Lebanon