The Greater Scranton Central Labor Council marked Labor Day Monday morning in front of the statue of labor leader John Mitchell on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton.
The observance included speeches by labor union leaders, elected officials and members of the labor community. Speakers called for the assembled crowd to elect people who support labor and recounted labor’s history locally. The event also included a moment of silence for those killed during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Mitchell was a towering figure in the history of labor and labor unions. As president of the United Mine Workers in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Mitchell stressed the struggles of the working man were shared, regardless of language, religion or country of origin. He organized, printed union literature in nearly a dozen languages and ensured that local leadership reflected the diverse ethnic makeup of the coal patches, fostering an unprecedented sense of solidarity.
The work was so successful, the Anthracite Coal Commission established by President Theodore Roosevelt held hearings at the Lackawanna County Courthouse. Eventually, its work resulted in shorter hours and better wages for miners.
Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan speaks during the Greater Scranton Central Labor Council’s Labor Day observance in front of the John Mitchell statue on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Eric Schubert, president of Greater Scranton Central Labor Council, delivers introductory remarks during the council’s Labor Day observance at the John Mitchell statue on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
John Holland, region field director for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, delivers remarks during the Greater Scranton Central Labor Council’s Labor Day observance in front of the John Mitchell statue on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
John McNulty, a state mediator and former member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Works speaks during the Greater Scranton Central Labor Council’s Labor Day observance in front of the John Mitchell statue on Courthouse Square Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
State Rep. Jim Haddock, D-118, Pittston Twp., speaks during the Greater Scranton Central Labor Council’s Labor Day observance Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 in front of the John Mitchell statue. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
People recite the Pledge of Allegiance during Greater Scranton Central Labor Council’s Labor Day observance at the John Mitchell statue on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton Monday, Sept. 7, 2026.
(Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
A crowd of people applauds during the Greater Scranton Central Labor Council’s Labor Day observance in front of the John Mitchell statue Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Listening to remarks during the Greater Scranton Central Labor Council’s Labor Day observance Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 are, from left, state Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore; state Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-113, Scranton; state Rep. Jim Haddock, D-118, Pittston Twp.; Lackawanna County Commissioner Chair Thom Welby; state Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-112, Blakely; and council President Eric Schubert. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
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Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan speaks during the Greater Scranton Central Labor Council’s Labor Day observance in front of the John Mitchell statue on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)