Public Spark

Happy Labor Day!

Congress made labor day an official holiday in 1894 in tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.

Statistics released by the US Census Bureau regarding labor force

• There are 154.5 million people 16 and older in the nation’s labor force in May 2008.

• 82% of full-time workers 18-64 are covered by health insurance during all or part of 2006.

• Americans work in myriads of occupations. The greatest number of employees is in the teaching profession (7.1 million). Others include 345000 chefs, 288000 firefighters, 170000 musicians, and 88000 logging workers.

• There are 10.4 million self-employed workers.

• The median number of years works have been with their current employers is 4. Only 9% of those employed have been with their current employer for 20 or more years.

• 10.3 million people are independent contractors.

• There are 15.6 million labor union members nationwide.

• 5.4 million people work from home.