Statement From Attorney General Schneiderman On Labor Day

NEW YORK – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released the following statement today in commemoration of Labor Day.

“On this Labor Day, we honor the immeasurable contributions of working men and women to the strength, security and prosperity of our nation. American workers have not only made our economy the largest and most productive in the world, but also they have led the fight to make it fairer and more just. 

"For all Americans, working people have won better wages, ensured safer working conditions, fought discrimination, and secured health and retirement benefits. Their struggle created an economy that works for everyone. On this Labor Day, we should look to the labor movement’s legacy of lifting up all Americans to fulfill the promise of shared prosperity as we seek solutions that will get New York's economy working again.

"That means vigorously enforcing our state’s labor laws using civil and criminal tools so that no unscrupulous employer will get an unfair advantage over law-abiding businesspeople by unlawfully cutting corners or shortchanging employees. And it means that investing to create jobs and get our economy moving must be our top priority. After the picnics and parades are over, we must continue to uphold New York’s proud tradition of standing up for working people, and protecting those who are struggling in these tough economic times."