The Christian belief that human persons are made in the image and likeness of God is the principle that underlies human rights for adequate healthcare, education, living wages and safe working conditions, said Cardinal Roger Mahony during the annual Labor Day Mass.

The cardinal noted that the first chapter of Genesis proclaims a unique relationship between God and humanity.

"God is saying let us make man and woman in our own image and likeness," said the cardinal. "That is the underlying principle and value of every human being.

"But is that the dignity and respect that we see around us?" asked Cardinal Mahony. "And sadly I have to say, no, it is not. Because when we have so many children and adults in our state who do not have access to basic healthcare, then we are not respecting them as being made in the image and likeness of God. And therefore there must be change."

The Sept. 3 liturgy at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels drew nearly 2,000 workers, labor leaders and politicians, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo.

The cardinal continued his homily by urging adequate education for young people, raising the minimum wage, and reforming immigration laws that respect the contribution of immigrant workers.

"All the time [immigrant workers] are trying to build up our society and our economy, and without them we will fail," said the cardinal. "Our immigrant peoples need us to stand with them and proclaim and protect their rights."

Following Communion, Maria Elena Durazo, head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, addressed the congregation and said Labor Day is about unity.

"It's about workers standing together for a good standard of living --- to make sure we have health care so they can take their children to the doctor if needed, to put food on the table, to pay rent, to retire with dignity so that you don't have to rely on your children through those older years," she said.

All the while, the most exploited workers --- farm workers in the fields --- still struggle for essential needs like clean water and bathrooms, noted Durazo.

Some 200,000 Los Angeles workers from various industries will be re-negotiating their contracts in 2008.

"They make Los Angeles a great economy. But these are difficult times. Their middle class standard is under attack," said Durazo, citing the lack of affordable health care. "On this Labor Day I ask you to stand with Los Angeles workers in their efforts to rebuild the middle class in this city."

One note of hope celebrated by labor leaders was the re-negotiation of grocery worker contracts that eliminated a two-tier employee system.

Prior to the liturgy several hundred workers and union organizers gathered at the Cathedral Conference Center for a breakfast program, during which they honored Stater Brothers as "Employer of the Year."

The market chain realized its turnover was excessive and sought to improve wages and benefits in order to attract long-term employees, said Rick Icaza, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

"Stater Brothers became aware that you can make a profit by paying good wages, by paying benefits to their employees," said Icaza. "And that's why they've become a model."

George Frahm, Stater Bros. senior vice-president, accepted the award, saying: "We were proud to step forward and say that our employees deserve a decent wage so that they could live and so that we could once again have good middle class jobs and people that could buy homes in our neighborhoods and buy our groceries. It makes good sense for employees. It makes good sense for business."