Labor Day is a time to reflect on the contributions of labor activists and the modern worker. 

Union leaders in the 1800’s pushed forth recognition of the American labor force. 

They introduced the idea that a workplace should be safe, and an eight-hour work day should be established. 

That children, who then worked in dangerous factories, shouldn’t have to work.

Recognizing that pensions, vacation days, and healthcare are essential to the American worker. 

Worker activists advocated for their rights, at times striking for better working conditions, prompting President Grover Cleveland to make Labor day a federal holiday in 1894. 

Orange County is home to over 1 million workers. 

Here’s a look at a handful of the people who contribute to the labor force that makes Orange County what it is today: 

Angel Alcaraz, from Veracruz, Mexico, sits in a barber chair in Santa Ana after finishing up with a client on Aug. 28, 2024. Alcaraz is a disabled hairdresser who does not let his injuries get in the way. Alcaraz cuts hair while sitting down. “My hands work great,” said Alcaraz, who wants to buy a stool that moves up and down to better serve his clients. “I keep looking on the Facebook marketplace,” says Alcaraz. Alcatraz says business is slow and is currently looking forward to finding more jobs that only require the use of his hands while sitting. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Alexander Vega, 64, works through his retirement as a part-time greeter at the historic Spurgeon building in Downtown Santa Ana on Aug. 28, 2024. Vega, who has worked there for the past five years, also helps with maintenance operations. “I’m here all the time. I know how this historic building works,” said Vega, who sometimes also likes to give tours and remind visitors that the building was opened the year after the Titanic set sail. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Alexander Vega, a part-time greeter at the historic Spurgeon building in Downtown Santa Ana, on Aug. 28, 2024. Vega celebrates workers and makes sure to think of those who work on Labor Day. “Nurses, caretakers, laborers,” said Vega. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Kaellie “Fern” Perrault, a tattoo artist at Black Umbrella Tattoo on Historic Main Street in Garden Grove, works on tattoo designs on a tablet on Aug. 28, 2024. “Tattoo artists are kind of translators in a lot of ways,” Fern said. “We take people who are not artists, communicate with them and translate what they want onto paper for a design, and then translate from design onto skin. Some of the best tattooers out there are also great communicators.” Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Kaellie “Fern” Perrault, a tattoo artist at Black Umbrella Tattoo on Historic Main Street in Garden Grove, works on tattoo designs on a tablet on Aug. 28, 2024. “It’s a lot of work, and I don’t necessarily just glamorize it, but there’s also a lot of freedom in what I get to do,” said Fern. “It’s very expressive, and I get to kind of interact with people the way that I want to. Every time somebody comes in, each experience is always a new problem to solve or something new.” Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Jose Lopez, a cook at Louie’s On Main in Downtown Garden Grove, poses for a portrait in the kitchen on Aug. 28, 2024. “We have some of the same clients, regulars and I pretty much know all of them,” Lopez said after being asked what his favorite part of his job is. “They’re all very awesome people, I know some of them personally. Being able to talk with all of them, get input and hang out with them.” Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Jose Lopez works in the kitchen at Louie’s On Main in Downtown Garden Grove on Aug. 28, 2024. “Trying to keep things interesting can be challenging,” said Lopez. “In today’s market, there’s so many different types of restaurants. Everyone’s got their own thing going on, so it’s important to stay interesting and get people to keep coming.” Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Natalie López, 19, works on a client’s nails at a station she rents at La Reve Beauty in Santa Ana on Aug. 28, 2024. Lopez can see up to four clients a day, each lasting two hours. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

Julie Leopo is the Director of Photography at Voice of OC. You can reach her on Instagram @julieleopo, or by email at Jleopo@voiceofoc.org.

Erika Taylor is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood Reporting Fellow and photojournalist. You can find her on Instagram @camerakeepsrolling or email at etaylor@voiceofoc.org

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