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Today, Monday, September 2, our nation will observe Labor Day, which is an occasion to honor all of America’s working people.  The concept for the day began with the trade union movement in the late 1800’s.  The federal government adopted Labor Day as a national holiday in 1894.

Labor Day is a good time to reflect on the rights of workers.  In many countries, workers are not allowed to organize trade unions or to bargain with their employers.  In some dictatorships, no independent labor unions are permitted; only labor front organizations operated by the ruling party are allowed to exist.

 In the United States and other advanced democratic countries, working people have the right to establish independent labor organizations that are not controlled by the government.  That is why there is a strong connection between free labor movements and democracy.  Unions help improve democracy by giving workers a voice in the workplace.  There are dozens of labor unions in the United States.  Most American unions belong to one of two major labor federations: 1) the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations), or 2) CTW (Change to Win).  The AFL-CIO was founded in 1955 when the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merged into a combined labor movement.  CTW was founded in 2005 as an alternative to the AFL-CIO.

American labor unions have been responsible for a variety of reforms such as the eight-hour workday, overtime pay, paid vacations, worker health benefits, employee pension plans, workplace safety regulations, and grievance procedures.  By gaining strength in the 20^th century, American labor unions raised the living standards for millions of people.  They helped raise workers from poverty into the middle class.  Rising wages enabled American workers to buy homes and cars, to take their families on vacation, and to send their children to college. When unions were strong in the 20^th century, they helped raise wages and living standards across the country for union and non-union labor alike.  We need to raise the American standard of living again in the 21^st century.

In Bayonne, union members work in a variety of trades and economic sectors, such as building & construction, petrochemicals, maritime, education, healthcare, transportation, retail, and government.  

We should respect the contributions that all American workers make to our families, our communities, and our national economy.  Let’s all work together to improve wages, working conditions, and economic opportunities in the years to come. 

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Jersey City, NJ—Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise and the Board of Chosen Freeholders are proud to announce an evening of dynamic live music headlined by two sizzling acts, to be presented Wednesday, July 18^th from 7:00-9:00 pm in the Rotunda of the historic Brennan Court House (583 Newark Avenue, Jersey City).

The evening will open with a performance by the Brazilian singer/songwriter Monika Oliveira. Born in Belem do Para and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Oliveira has been performing in the New York area for more than twenty years. She combines her love of Brazilâ€s musical heritage with a mastery of Jazz to create what critics describe as a “sultry variation on both … that is at once moving and rhythmic, pure and passionate.” Joined by the Brazilians Trio, she will take the stage at 7 pm.

At 8 p.m., Flamenco Flavor will wow audience members with their fresh take on traditional Spanish rhythms with a fiery urban twist, presenting sensual Latin choreography danced brilliantly and paired with the ardent voice and soulful guitar play of David M. Castellano.

“We are thrilled to open the Courthouse Rotunda arts venue to new voices,” said County Executive DeGise. “Jazz, salsa, flamenco—are just part of the rich cultural palette right here in Hudson County and the metro area we hope to draw from as we produce more new live music for the communityâ€s enjoyment.”

Placed on the Register of Historic Places in 1970 and saved from demolition, the 108 year-old William J. Brennan Courthouse is just that—a working civil courthouse and seat of County Government during the day. But by night, its stunning four-story marble rotunda has become home to a range of musical acts and visual arts exhibits presented by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs that are promoted by “Visit Hudson,” the Officeâ€s tourism development arm.

This concert is the first of what is expected to become a new series entitled “Live At Brennanâ€s.” The series will kick off on a regular basis in September with the July 18^th event acting as a preview of what is to come in the year ahead: exciting, live performance designed to showcase the rich professional music scene Hudson County is today very much a part of here in the New York/North Jersey metropolitan area.

Just last month the Brennan Court House Rotunda was the venue for performances that were part of the week-long Riverview Jazz Festival.

Doors for this event will open at 6:30. Tickets are $20. The price includes parking in the Courthouse lot and light refreshments between acts.

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– Small business owners are the backbone of Hudson Countyâ€s economy, with data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicating that these enterprises employ more than 307,000 people.

To provide small businesses with more opportunities to successfully participate in the Countyâ€s procurement processes, the Board of Chosen Freeholders and County Executive Thomas A. DeGise adopted an ordinance establishing a Qualified Minority-, Women-, Veteran-owned Business or Small Business Set-Aside Program, which sets aside 10% of the dollar value of all the Countyâ€s goods, services and construction contracts to be utilized for qualified small businesses. The ordinance – the first of its kind for Hudson County and the first of its kind in New Jersey – went into effect on January 1^st.

Hudson County Executive DeGise announced that a new Set-Aside Ordinance will make it easier for qualified businesses to contract with the County as it will provide access to procurement opportunities of $40,000 or less. An estimated $3.4 million worth of contracts will likely be available as part of the new program to eligible businesses.

“The Freeholders and my administration believe this ordinance will open doors for businesses that may not have the capacity to bid for large contracts, but who have the qualifications, expertise and means to provide County departments and agencies with much-needed goods, services and construction,” Mr. DeGise said. He noted that the Set-Aside Program will also expedite the delivery of goods and services to the County.

In order to be eligible to qualify for the Hudson County Set-Aside Program, businesses must have their principal places of business in New Jersey, and be independently owned and operated with at least 51% of ownership and operation controlled by a minority group member, a woman or veteran, or be a New Jersey-based, independently owned and operated small business. These businesses must hold a valid and current certification as a Minority (MBE), Woman (WBE), Veteran (VBE) or Small Business (SBE) Enterprise from the State of New Jersey Department of Treasury, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ Transit, The United States Small Business Administration, or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Eligible businesses must also register on the Hudson County Purchasing Portal at www.hudsoncountynjprocure.org.

The Set-Aside Ordinance calls for the Hudson County Office of Minority & Women Business Enterprise (OMWBE) to assist small businesses for participation in the program.

The OMWBE staff will walk small businesses through the certification and procurement processes and offer information to them about what is required for taking advantage of the Hudson County Set-Aside and other programs. The OMWBE may be contacted via email at OMWBEinfo@hcnj.us or by phoning 201-395-6267.

“This is a win-win for the small businesses and for Hudson County,” Mr. DeGise said. We hope all of Hudsonâ€s minority-, woman- and veteran-owned and small businesses will investigate and register to be a part of this ground-breaking Set-Aside Program.”

The Hudson County Set-Aside Program ordinance may be viewed and downloaded by going to www.hudsoncountynj.org/about-omwbe.

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