Newswise — As American workers are faced with the “Great Recession” of the 21st century, how are they faring this Labor Day? What role might organized labor play, or not play, in the upcoming fall 2010 elections? Labor historian and North Carolina State University professor Dr. David Zonderman, author of two books on U.S. labor history, can provide historical perspective on this and other questions on the labor movement in the United States.

Other questions to consider this Labor Day include: What difference does it make to working men and women to have a Democrat in the White House? Has the stimulus program made a noticeable change in working people’s lives?

A national holiday since 1894, Labor Day was initiated by the union movement to celebrate the American worker and to highlight the size and political power of the unions themselves.