By DONALD NORCROSS • For the Courier-Post • September 6, 2010

Labor Day is a celebration of working people everywhere. It recognizes what the middle class has built and the power of our shared vision. This vision includes bold new initiatives to create quality jobs with good pay; a nation where working people need not fear for their retirement; where sickness does not equal bankruptcy; and where the needs of Main Street supercede the requests of Wall Street.

This vision in danger, but we can still save it. While Labor Day is a celebration, this year's holiday is a somber one. Our families are facing the most serious economic climate since the Great Depression. Millions of people are out of work, and their prospects of finding new jobs are poor. However, I believe we have the tools to confront these challenges and to create new opportunities -- if we have the will to do it.

We need to modernize New Jersey's infrastructure and economy, and to use those tools already in place. Our ports can move the wind turbines that will power the next generation. We can build homes and businesses with solar panels and state-of-the- art insulation. And an advanced telecommunication infrastructure can help carry us into the next century. By taking these steps, we can create countless jobs, lower energy costs and jump-start our economy.

New Jersey has a long history of industrial growth and exploring new opportunities. We are uniquely situated to create these new-age jobs and make our communities more livable and efficient. These kinds of jobs and advancements are the future of New Jersey and the nation.

At the same time, we must ensure that businesses feel comfortable investing in this next-generation work force. We need to lower the barriers for businesses, cut back bloated government bureaucracies, and make it easier for employers to find the workers they need right here in New Jersey.

Optimism is in short supply amid the prolonged economic downturn. But we can take steps to create jobs and jump-start our economy through create ideas and decisive action. We cannot afford to accept the status quo.

At the same time, we need to protect what we have earned -- something that New Jersey often forgets. This year, I opposed Gov. Chris Christie's state budget in part because it violated the trust between the state and thousands of public employees by failing to fund their retirement plans. Not funding the pension system not only is unfair to the employees, but it hurts all taxpayers by creating enormous debt for future generations.

On this Labor Day, we celebrate working people while embracing the choices that will help to build and ensure a brighter future for all New Jerseyans. Empowering the middle class by creating the 21st century jobs of the next generation is paramount in this effort.

Labor Day is a celebration of working people, so let us celebrate by highlighting the power and potential of working people to put our State on the right track.

State Sen. Donald Norcross, D-Camden, represents the 5th Legislative District covering parts of Camden and Gloucester counties. He is also the president of the AFL-CIO of Southern New Jersey.