SYRACUSE - Despite a national debate over the late July split of several major labor unions from the AFL-CIO, labor unions in central New York are still united and supportive of one another, said Marshall Blake, president of Central New York Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.
That's the message Blake and members of labor unions from across Cayuga, Onondaga, Oswego and Madison counties were trying to get across during their Labor Day parade and rally at the New York State Fair Monday. Labor unions from both the AFL-CIO and the new Change to Win coalition, CTW, participated in the celebration.
"In contrast with national debate, there is absolute agreement on maintaining unity locally," Blake said. "It's about not being at all concerned about what union you are in ... but whatever union you are in."
Union members kicked off the Labor Day celebrations at the fair with an interfaith religious ceremony, followed by a parade around the fairgrounds and a rally, which union members ended by singing "Solidarity Forever."
Baschki Leo, president of the Cayuga County Labor Council, which represents 8,000 workers and 23 unions in the county, said members from all 23 unions were represented at the fair.
"It gets bigger and better every year," Leo said.
Leo has participated in the Labor Day festivities at the fairgrounds for the past five years.
"It's a celebration of working people standing together with one voice to achieve a fair life," she said. "It's really about everything this country stands for."
State Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, also attended the celebration to show his support for area labor unions.
Valesky, who marched in the parade with the Teamsters Local 1149 union, said it was important to look for cooperation between labor and business as the state continues to try to create job opportunities.
"This is an opportunity for us to show our support for working men and women on whose back this country was built," Valesky said.
One of the most visible groups at the fair was the local Unite Here, one union which split from AFL-CIO to join the CTW. Unite Here Local 701-T employees at Interface Solutions Inc., in Fulton, were locked out at the end of August as contract issues are being resolved.
Blake said the crowd at the rally was "very supportive" of Unite Here, and members from various labor unions were working to raise money for their cause.
"We're showing that ... local unions in central New York are unified and are supportive of one another," he said. "It's working people who built this country."
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net.
"In contrast with national debate, there is absolute agreement on maintaining unity locally," Blake said. "It's about not being at all concerned about what union you are in ... but whatever union you are in."
Union members kicked off the Labor Day celebrations at the fair with an interfaith religious ceremony, followed by a parade around the fairgrounds and a rally, which union members ended by singing "Solidarity Forever."
Baschki Leo, president of the Cayuga County Labor Council, which represents 8,000 workers and 23 unions in the county, said members from all 23 unions were represented at the fair.
"It gets bigger and better every year," Leo said.
Leo has participated in the Labor Day festivities at the fairgrounds for the past five years.
"It's a celebration of working people standing together with one voice to achieve a fair life," she said. "It's really about everything this country stands for."
State Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, also attended the celebration to show his support for area labor unions.
Valesky, who marched in the parade with the Teamsters Local 1149 union, said it was important to look for cooperation between labor and business as the state continues to try to create job opportunities.
"This is an opportunity for us to show our support for working men and women on whose back this country was built," Valesky said.
One of the most visible groups at the fair was the local Unite Here, one union which split from AFL-CIO to join the CTW. Unite Here Local 701-T employees at Interface Solutions Inc., in Fulton, were locked out at the end of August as contract issues are being resolved.
Blake said the crowd at the rally was "very supportive" of Unite Here, and members from various labor unions were working to raise money for their cause.
"We're showing that ... local unions in central New York are unified and are supportive of one another," he said. "It's working people who built this country."
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net.
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.