This Labor Day serves as a reminder that everyone in this country deserves a fair shot at the American dream: securing a good job with satisfactory wages to support their family, and eventually retiring with dignity. Unfortunately, many families anxiously stretch each paycheck to cover essential expenses such as groceries, rent, health care, and electric bills.
Current economic challenges have made the dream more elusive for Black workers and other workers of color. Although Black unemployment fell to historic lows in 2023, it climbed to 7% in the first half of this year, indicating that Black workers are impacted most significantly in a weakening economy. Statistics reveal that Black workers are about twice as likely to face unemployment compared to white workers.
According to the Federal Reserve, only 60% of Black adults felt they were doing financially well or living comfortably in 2025, a decrease of 5 percentage points from the previous year. Additionally, increased job losses were reported among Black adults, underscoring economic disparities.
“While economic hardships continue, those at the top experience substantial financial gains.”
The AFL-CIO’s Executive Paywatch report highlights a striking disparity: in 2025, the average compensation for S&P 500 CEOs reached $22.8 million, increasing by 21% from the previous year. This figure does not include Elon Musk’s $158.3 billion remuneration, further illustrating widening economic inequality caused by deliberate policy decisions.
Labor laws have become progressively weaker, making union formation difficult. This aligns with the interests of the wealthy elite who resist a robust labor movement. Historically, unions have challenged corporate-backed elites, advocating for both economic and racial justice.
Fred Redmond’s personal experience on Chicago’s South Side underscores the difference unions can make. His family transitioned from poverty to stability when his father secured a union job at an aluminum mill. This union role provided security and opportunities, elevating his family into the middle class. Redmond emphasizes the benefits of union contracts: improved pay, accessible health care, retirement security, safe working conditions, and fair treatment.
Union membership significantly boosts wealth among workers, with the largest advantages seen among families of color and working-class families. Studies show Black union workers earning 12.6% more than their nonunion counterparts, and Latino union workers seeing 16.4% higher earnings.
Today, union membership among workers includes a diverse representation. Approximately two-thirds are women or people of color, and Black workers maintain the highest unionization rate. By 2025, people of color contributed considerably to union expansion.
Despite challenges, the union strength remains evident. In 2025, union representation increased by 463,000 workers, attaining a total of 16.5 million, the highest in 16 years. Union members understand the benefits and continue advocating for rights to organize freely.
As the fall approaches, union efforts extend beyond traditional workplaces. Union volunteers plan to engage millions of union voters through direct personal connections. The AFL-CIO’s election program prioritizes real conversations over superficial messaging, ensuring impactful dialogues on Election Day.
“Person-to-person contact remains unmatched, allowing union members to discuss vital family and life matters.”
Fred Redmond reflects on his five-decade journey in the labor movement, highlighting the importance of solidarity. His belief in collective strength paves the way for forthcoming generations to have the American dream within reach.
Fred Redmond serves as the AFL-CIO’s secretary-treasurer, holding the highest-ranking African American labor official title in history. The organization comprises 65 unions representing nearly 15 million workers.
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.