(The AFL-CIO issued the following news release on August 27.)
WASHINGTON — Top AFL-CIO officers will travel across America this Labor Day weekend to support workers who are fighting for a voice on the job and to hear from union members about the ways union membership has improved their lives. They will talk with workers who are deeply concerned about jobs and layoffs- especially in the current economy. More jobs have been lost under the Bush administration than under any president since Herbert Hoover.
As part of a nationwide effort to protect every worker’s right to a voice at work, the officers will join working families in demanding that employers give workers the freedom to choose a union. They will deliver a message to communities that millions of workers are denied basic freedom of speech and face intense interference from employers when they try to become union members. As an increasing number of workers lose basic benefits such as health care, retirement security and pensions, workers are struggling to organize to improve their standard of living. Workers will also call on elected officials and candidates to support their efforts to organize.
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney will be joined by Teamsters President James Hoffa and UNITE President Bruce Raynor for a major Labor Day event in Cincinnati in support of Cintas workers who are struggling to organize. In Philadelphia, Sweeney will address the American Political Science Association and in Detroit, Sweeney will launch a major jobs initiative at the Detroit Economic Club. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka will speak at a community event in St. Paul and Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson will lead rallies in San Jose.Working men and women nationwide will participate in an array of events including parades, picnics, pancake breakfasts and town hall forums.There also will be hundreds of “Labor in the Pulpit” services nationwide in which union members and faith leaders will highlight the bond between the religious community and workers.
Highlights include:
Saturday, August 30
PHILADELPHIA 8:00 p.m. – – AFL-CIO President John Sweeney to address American Political Science Association on the theme: “Democracy at the Workplace” at Philadelphia Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. For more information, call APSA at 202-483-2512.
Sunday, August 31
LORAIN, OHIO 12noon — AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka and UAW President Ron Gettelfinger to speak at rally/picnic at the Lorain County Labor Day rally and picnic at Lakeview Park. SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 10:00 a.m. — AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson to speak at Labor in the Pulpit event at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 S. Market St. 12:30 p.m — Chavez-Thompson to speak at Labor in the Pulpit event at St. Maria Giorettis Church, 2980 Senter Rd.
Monday, September 1
CINCINNATI 1:30 p.m. – – -AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, Teamsters President James Hoffa and UNITE! President Bruce Raynor to attend Cincinnati Central Labor Council annual Labor Day picnic in support of Cintas workers at Coney Island Park, 6201 Kellogg Avenue. ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 1:30 p.m. — AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka to deliver Labor Day address at St. Paul AFL-CIO Labor Day rally and picnic with more than 2,000 workers. Harriet Island Park and Pavilion, St. Paul, MN.
Wednesday, September 3
DETROIT12noon — AFL-CIO Pres. John Sweeney to launch a major jobs initiative at the Detroit Economic Club with local political leaders and hundreds of working Americans. Cobo Conference Center.Reporters must register in advance with Detroit Economic Club at 313-963-8547.