Some residents must work on Labor Day
Published 1:35 am Saturday, September 4, 2010
While a good many Americans are celebrating a long weekend and a day off from work, there are millions laboring throughout the Labor Dayweekend – including those at the local McDonalds, countless convenience and retail stores, law enforcement officers, health care workers and employees of Shaw Industries.
City, county and state offices will be closed to celebrate the holiday, which is observed on the first Monday in September. It has been celebrated since the late 1800s and was designated as the “workmen’s holiday.” It was declared a national holiday in 1894.
However, for some these days, it’s just another day on the job.
Among those are the 30-plus staffers at the Andalusia McDonalds.
Store Manager Lamonde Scott said while it may be one of the biggest holidays for travelers, the store will not increase its staff to handle the increased customer numbers.
“It’s just going to be another normal day for us here,” Scott said. “We’ll be here from 5 a.m. until midnight, just like any other day.”
With the exception of the plant’s office staff, the production lines at Shaw Industries will not stop for the holiday.
Gitty Up and Go’s Kristi Mercer has worked at the River Falls Street store for almost a year. She plans to be there on Monday, as well.
“I don’t mind really,” she said Friday about working on the holiday. “I’m happy I get to go to work somewhere with the way the economy has been. Besides, everyone is going to be traveling this weekend. We’ve been very busy. By Monday, everyone will be resting, so it shouldn’t be too bad back here behind the cash register.”