Labor Day is almost here and union members are busy making plans to turn out and march in a parade or perhaps attend some sort of festive activity. Members of the United Media Guild are no exception; come Monday, UMG members will be getting it done in seven different cities (and that doesn’t even include our Truthout and Show Me 15 brothers and sisters – they’re all over the map!).
Here in St. Louis, where our awesome Faith & Labor Coalition leads the march every year now, the parade starts at 9:00 a.m. Also every year, we march as part of the CWA City Council, alongside all our CWA brothers and sisters. This year, CWA is the 12th entry, so we’ll be up close to the front. We line up at Olive and 20th Street, members can start arriving after 7:00 a.m. By the way, the first 150 individuals to show up will receive a free T-shirt, so plan to get there early! Following the parade, hot dogs and beverages will be served.
A few clicks north, in Springfield, IL, the UMG banner will once again be hoisted by State Journal members (that bargaining unit was last years grand marshal, btw). This year, the parade begins at 10:00 a.m. and members will gather at 8:30 a.m. in the Horace Mann parking lot between Washington and Jefferson. Unit Chair Dean Olsen says, ” Please make sure to wear your bright yellow-green Guild shirts and good walking shoes. We will distribute literature and candy during the parade. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will last about an hour. Afterward, we will go to a local restaurant for pizza.”
Further north in Rockford, our Register Star members will meet between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. at 7th Street and 6th Avenue. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and the route is less than a mile. You can park in the BMO bank lot.
Unit Vice-Chair Brian Leaf reports that, “After the walk we will get something to eat. Last year it was at Stockholm Inn.”
Leaf added, “We’re negotiating our first contract and we will probably need support from other area unions as we get closer to a deal. So we need to be visible. This is a great way to let other locals know we have a bargaining unit, should we need help convincing the company that we deserve raises. So come out and walk to support quality journalism, wave and toss candy gently to kids (a bit harder to unruly sources).”
Pekin, IL has no labor Day Parade but just across the river, in Peoria, the parade starts at 10:00 a.m. Marchers will meet at the Peoria Fire Department, 505 NE Monroe Street at 8:30am. The parade is from 10a to 11a and will parade feature over 100 entries of various unions. Following the parade there’s a picnic at Riverfront Festival Park, 202 NE Water Street.
Over in Kansas City, MO there will be no Labor Day festivities (don’t ask – seriously, don’t ask) so, without any geographical constraints, our Jobs with Justice folk will be agitating and causing trouble all over town (they’re a rowdy bunch).
Meanwhile, our Workers Interfaith Network (WIN) members down in Memphis, TN (those hardworking folks who fight for social justice, particularly in the immigrant community) are putting on a Faith & Labor Picnic. It runs from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1738 Galloway, in Midtown. There’s music, food, and games – bring the spousal unit and the kids – it’s fun for the whole family!
So Happy Labor Day everyone! Hope you have a great weekend and maybe we’ll see you Monday!