A
slogan of the early
labor movement, in their quest for an eight hour working day. In the same spirit as the
Bread and Roses movement (which was about achieving
a living wage), the idea is that your work should be only part of your life, and if you're working thirteen or fourteen hour days (not uncommon before the labor movement) you don't have time to
sleep, raise your children, date, or do many of the
things that should make life worth living.
While the eight hour working day was eventually incorporated into most labor laws in the United States, it has been gradually eroded over the years, especially for unorganized and/or salaried employees.
You can also thank this movement for Saturdays.
Unions: the people who brought you the weekend