From my 2002 Oxford Pocket American Dictionary of Current English:
la·bor /láybər/ n. & v. (Brit. labour) · n. 1 a physical or mental work; exertion. b such work considered as supplying the needs of a community. 2 workers, esp. manual, considered as a class or political force.
As both a class and political force laborers fought for the eight hour work day, the two-day weekend, minimum wages, paid holidays, the end of child labor*, the right of collective bargaining and the right to form unions.
ALF-CIO’s 2007 Executive PayWatch
*In some countries; other countries are still struggling.
