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This year the American labor scene has continued its journey back toward the way it was prior to the pandemic. It probably will take several more years for that journey -- inevitable even from the pandemic's first days -- to be complete.
For better or worse, depending upon from whose personal vantage point the current labor landscape is being viewed, many starting wages no longer reflect the pandemic worker shortages proclaimed by the "Help Wanted" signs that for many months dotted business districts and retail corridors.
Anyone with an understanding about the business world's needs and general workings understood all along that the pandemic-related shortages that emerged would not remain entrenched permanently.
Despite the resettling into the work and jobs world that existed during the 21st century's two decades that preceded the pandemic, it is clear that America's workers have not lost their importance -- not even with the emergence of artificial intelligence.
The human body with its strength, along with its human insight and expertise, will continue to remain important in the world of the future, as it is in the world of today.
The future might bring some new limitations in some places and occupations, but human workers will remain a vital piece of most prospering workplaces, nonetheless.
All that said, there is no reason to believe that this year's Labor Day, which will be celebrated officially on Monday as part of what is regarded as "Labor Day Weekend," will be minus any of the significance and importance this observance has enjoyed, since it emanated from the nation's first Labor Day.
That was celebrated in 1882 with a parade in New York.
In September 2017, for example, a Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry official referred to Labor Day as being "a uniquely American holiday that celebrates the economic and social contributions of our workers."
Similarly, a U.S. Department of Labor website that year referred to Labor Day as a national tribute "to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country."
Beyond the parades and other official celebratory activities that the holiday encourages, the Labor Day weekend also has evolved into what amounts to a send-off of summer, even though a couple of weeks remain before autumn begins officially.
For many families, this weekend will be the final picnic weekend of 2023.
When summer is about to begin, motorists are reminded about safe, defensive driving; the same message is appropriate now as summer activities are winding down. Be careful for the sake of yourself and others.
Back in 2019, gasoline described as the cheapest in three years was greeting Labor Day travelers. Not so this year, with pump prices again touching -- or nearly touching -- $4 a gallon. However, unlike in some past years, this year's price is not likely to cause a notable dent in end-of-summer motoring, with motorists generally having become accustomed to energy price fluctuations.
Unfortunately, for millions of Americans and thousands of businesses in Florida and nearby states, this weekend's Labor Day celebration will not be a celebration at all as they begin or continue their individual hurricane-recovery work.
For many of those individuals, families and businesses, though, workers who are being honored by this Labor Day observance will be helping them in that recovery effort.
That is as it should be.