Labor Day always seems like a paradoxical holiday – dedicated on the one hand to the history of work and labor unions, and on the other had to fun and idleness. But on the first Labor Day in 1852 the two things came together: first the parade and serious speeches from union leaders, and then a big picnic and concert to round the day off. This year just about everything has changed. The Trade Union movement is all about solidarity, and that’s just what we don’t have with millions out of work, or working at home or in the so-called gig economy. They are, quite literally, on their own. As for the picnic and the concert, social distancing has put an end to them. So today is just a date on the calendar, when the post office will be closed and people will take advantage of the three-day weekend to stay at home and not visit their relatives.