The Obama Presidential Center Museum will showcase historical political buttons
On this Labor Day, get a glimpse of some of the meaningful buttons labor unions made to support President Obama’s campaigns.
“The strongest middle class the world has ever known was not built overnight. It was achieved by men and women who believed that living up to the promise of this Nation meant more than hoping for the best; it meant toiling in the day, working through the night, and proving that theirs was a future worth fighting for. On Labor Day, we celebrate the grit and resilience of America's workers and their families, and we recommit to reaching for a world in which they are afforded the rights and opportunities they deserve.”
- President Barack Obama, Labor Day proclamation, Sept. 2, 2016
¡Si se puede!
On this Labor Day, we celebrate the workers who built America and strengthened the middle class, including those who rallied behind a short phrase “yes we can,” which carries with it so much meaning for a hopeful future.
Next Labor Day at the Obama Presidential Center Museum, you can explore our collection of creative, compelling, and contemplative political buttons — many of which honor the Labor Movement. Our rotating displays will span the history of the movement — from a 1928 Labor Day celebration at Soldier Field, to California farmworkers eradicating a back-breaking tool, to autoworkers’ support for President Obama as he worked to save their industry. These buttons tell the story of the relationship between the movement to elect President Obama and the struggles that American labor unions fought and won throughout our history.
Read a bit more about the history and meaning behind each of these buttons, and come see them in person at the Obama Presidential Center Museum, opening in 2026.
CFL Labor Day Celebration
Chicagoans held a Labor Day celebration at Soldier Field on Sept. 3, 1928. The Labor Day celebration was a ticketed event that drew impressive crowds for its array of theatrical, athletic, and political performances. The Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) was founded in 1896 and merged with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) soon after. A prominent local early 20th-century working-class union, the CFL was led by an Irish immigrant named John Fitzpatrick and expanded beyond its base of craft unions to include teachers, service workers, and factory operatives. By 1910, the union represented half of Chicago’s workforce, some 245,000 workers, including 35,000 women. The CFL’s affiliate, the AFL was established in 1886 and merged with the Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO) in 1955, at which point the Cook County Industrial Union Council, the South Chicago Trades and Labor Assembly, and the Calumet Joint Labor Council joined the CFL.
Los Angeles Labor for Obama
This button proclaims Los Angeles labor support for the Barack Obama campaign. The button itself is union made. Although there is no specific labor union mentioned on this button, it may be a reference to the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor which has, since 1894, "empower[ed] workers to organize and take collective action to win better wages and respect in the workplace.” In January 2008, Maria Elena Durazo, the then-head of the LA County Federation of Labor, endorsed Sen. Barack Obama's campaign for the Democratic nomination for president. When speaking of her endorsement, Durazo stated that she "believe[s] very strongly that Sen. Obama is very clear about his support for workers who want to organize, workers who want to lift themselves out of poverty, and also protect good middle-class jobs."
Unity is Strength
The button shown supports those participating in the Jung Sai labor strike of 1974. The garment workers at the Jung Sai factory in San Francisco’s Chinatown went on strike for nearly a year, protesting low wages, harassment, and other unfair labor practices. Of the 135 strikers, most of them were Chinese immigrants, and all but two were women. The Jung Sai factory was owned by Esprit de Corps, a manufacturer and designer of trendy clothing for young people. The factory’s name was translated into English as Great Chinese American (GCA).
Rebuilding Ohio Together
Members of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), local 574 in Marion, Ohio used this campaign button to demonstrate support for Obama.
United Auto Workers for Obama Biden
This 2008 campaign button demonstrates labor union support for the Obama-Biden ticket amongst members of The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). The UAW, also known as the United Auto Workers, endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president in 2008.
A Woman's Place is in her Union
This political button, which depicts Rosie the Riveter — the World War II era icon that represented women who worked in factories and at other jobs — encourages women to join labor unions.
Labor's Choice Roosevelt
This button represents organized labor’s endorsement of Franklin D. Roosevelt for president.
AFSCME Obama-Biden
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is one of the largest public sector unions in the country.
Obama ¡Si Se Puede! 2012
“Si se puede” translates to “yes we can.” Dolores Huerta, the civil rights, workers, and women’s rights advocate, is credited with popularizing the phrase, which is the main slogan for the United Farm Workers Union (UFW). The eagle featured prominently on this union-made button is the logo for the UFW. President Obama honored Huerta with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. The UFW was started by César Chávez in 1962 and fought for the rights of farmworkers in southwest America, who were primarily immigrants. President Obama established Chavez’s home as a national monument in 2012. “Si Se Puede” has been used by the union to motivate its members during times of hardship. This button helps ground the Obama campaign’s “Yes We Can” slogan in the broader progressive movement.
Abolish Short-Handle Hoe
This button calls for the abolition of the short-handled hoe, or “El Cortito.” Beginning in the late 1960s, farm workers campaigned for the use of the tool to be banned, as it caused workers to stoop for long hours in the fields, an occupational hazard. Though there was direct opposition toward the use of the tool itself, the short-handled hoe also became a larger symbol of working conditions for farm workers. California became the first state to ban the short-handled hoe in 1975. This button was donated by Eliseo Medina, who worked closely with Chavez at the UFW and later at the Service Employees International Union.
Grapes of Wrath Delano
This button, which plays on the title of John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, demonstrates support for César Chávez's Wrath of Grapes campaign in 1986. Previously, more than 800 Filipino farmworkers, organized by Larry Itliong, demanded better wages. They went on strike against vineyards in 1965 which led to a boycott of grapes. Emboldened by the Delano Grape Strike, Chávez called on consumers 20 years later to again boycott grapes in protest of the use of harmful pesticides.
