On this last day of Black History Month 2024, KRA is pleased to share an article, written by Frank McGriggs, Southeast Deputy Regional Administrator, USDOL Wage and Hour Division, which the Department posted on its Blog Page recently.
Mr. McGriggs writes, “My work and the work of my colleagues at the Wage and Hour Division is to protect vulnerable workers from violations of some of their most fundamental workplace rights, like minimum wage, overtime, and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
“Every day, and especially as I reflect on Black History Month, I draw inspiration from the stories of leaders who helped to improve working conditions for Black workers. One such source of inspiration is the story of the Double V Campaign, which led to improved working conditions for Black workers at the Department of Defense.
“During World War II, while the war effort was creating demand for many workers in the United States, long-held prejudices created barriers to employment for many Black workers.”
Strengthening America at Home: Black Workers in WWII is a fascinating, albeit a bit lengthy, story that is well worth the read if you want to learn more about this era in Black History, an inextricable component of American History.