Labor Day Parade

Labor Day Weekend was a blast - and it was capped off with an celebratory parade and picnic that was organized by the Buffalo ALF-CIO Council. In keeping with tradition, CEJ marched in the parade with our friends from WNYCOSH, Citizen Action, and the Working Families Party. (See photos on flickr!)

It is always great to see so many unions and members together in one place, and to feel the support of the on-lookers creates a powerful and healthy feeling of solidarity and strength. That alone was worth attending for.

The turnout, though official numbers were not tracked, appeared much larger than the past year's parade, even with less-than-perfect weather. That is a very encouraging sign. Perhaps, with all of the attacks on workers - both from governments and from major corporations, Labor Day has taken on a renewed significance. Rather than just a day off from work, by taking part in the parade and listening to media reports (See Buffalo News - CEJ's Andy Reynolds quoted in story on Labor Day parade), Labor Day has regained some of it's importance as a day where we reflect on and appreciate the value of organized labor and all of the gains that workers have been able to achieve through centuries of hard fought struggles.

But it is also an opportunity for our movement to mobilize and engage the community in a dialogue about our values and our vision for creating an economy that values and rewards those whose labor makes it all possible. So with that in mind, we ask you this question: What did Labor Day make you think about, and what do you think it will take to create a stronger movement that leads to the creation of quality jobs and expanding of workers' rights? (Please respond!)