President Obama Marks Labor Day by Extending Paid Sick Leave to Contract Federal Workers

At a Boston Labor Day celebration, President Obama announced his signing of an executive order that gives 300,000 contracted Federal employees the ability to earn up to seven days of paid sick leave annually.

The President spoke about how unions helped build the American middle class and paid tribute to collective action by workers.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again – if I were looking for a good job that lets me build some security for my family, I'd join a union," the president said to applause from the audience. "If I wanted somebody who had my back, I'd join a union.

A video of the speech is available here.

A transcript of the speech is available here.