Labor Day 2001

Local 751 members and retirees march proudly in the Decatur, Ill., Labor Day parade.

Celebrating our day, remembering our past. When people hear about Labor Day activities in the Midwest, they usually hear about the huge parade and other activities in Chicago.

Thousands gather together in “The City That Works” to celebrate Chicago’s rich labor history. The fight for the 10-hour day and then the 8-hour day, the Haymarket Square shootings, the Pullman Strike, and Clarence Darrow’s famous defense of Eugene Debs all happened in Chicago.

But Chicago isn’t the only location within Region 4 that remembers and celebrates our history. Many UAW locals make this day special with parades, pic-nics, articles in newspapers and other events to remind workers of today what they have inherited.

In Decatur, Ill., the community’s labor unions have built a proud reputation for standing strong under pressure. Each year they celebrate their solidarity with a parade.

Local 838 members held their fifth annual Labor Day celebration at their union hall in Waterloo, Iowa. This year, more than 3,000 members and their families, plus
Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, enjoyed a labor and product display, rides, games, and petting zoo.

No one went away from the event hungry or thirsty, as over 3,000 hamburgers, 1,500 hot dogs, 14 kegs of beer and 100 canisters of soda were served.

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