Editorial: Labor Day more than a holiday

Friday, Aug. 31, 2001 | 10:45 a.m.

Tens of thousands of visitors will pour into Las Vegas today as they take advantage of the three-day Labor Day weekend. The visitors will have fun, and executives from Las Vegas' casinos and businesses will smile at their good fortune. The visitors will pump plenty of money into their establishments, whether it's casinos or retail stores or restaurants, boosting the local economy along the way.

But we shouldn't forget that the city's success has been due to the working-class people who literally have built this city. The hotel room that was perfect upon a visitor's arrival was due to the hard work of a maid, who made sure that the beds were just right and the bathroom was scrubbed spotless. The bus boys who clear and clean the restaurant tables make sure that the dining experience is enjoyable. And let's not overlook all the workers, especially those in the construction industry, who don't have the luxury of sitting in an air-conditioned office as a retreat from the summer's blistering heat.

Most businesses provide their employees with safe working conditions, a decent wage and good benefits (including health insurance). But there are those that do not, letting men and women who are vital to our economy's success work for low wages and few or no benefits.

This week the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada released its findings of a year-long study that said the federally mandated minimum wage of $5.15 an hour -- last raised in 1997 -- isn't enough to actually put food on the table and keep a roof overhead for a typical Nevada family. For instance, one parent with two children actually would require $14.75 an hour just to make ends meet. The alliance, an umbrella group of unions, public interest groups, environmental organizations and civil rights groups, has called on state government to enact a "living wage" law. Businesses that receive state money -- tax breaks, government contracts, loans -- would have to make up the difference between the minimum wage and the "living wage," which would be determined by the Nevada Legislature. State lawmakers would do well to consider this proposal.

This Labor Day we should think about how much more progress needs to be made so that workers who are doing back-breaking jobs are better appreciated -- and rewarded -- for all they do to keep our economy running. Workers in these demanding jobs deserve our respect.