Labor Day celebrations got underway in downtown Erie Monday morning with the annual Labor Day Parade marching down State Street.
The parade stepped off shortly after 10 a.m., bringing together several local and regional unions, high school marching bands and community organizations.
For those taking part, the parade is more than a holiday tradition. It is a reminder of the history of the labor movement and the sacrifices made to improve working conditions.
“If you go back in history, how important this day is, the sacrifices people have made to get the working conditions that we have, we can’t forget about it,” said Brandon Schmitt, a union organizer with Operating Engineers Local 66.
As the parade moved through downtown Erie, union members also shared messages about the importance of union representation and workplace safety.
“We carry that threshold of all safety for every business, every organization here,” said Matt Price, president of IBEW Local 56. “We make sure everyone works in a safe manner, safe conditions for everyone, whether you’re union or non-union.”
Price said unions want to make sure workplace safety remains a priority and that the labor movement continues into the next generation.
“We want to make sure that unions are carried on and the safety is carried on every job, and that’s why we are here,” Price said.
He said Labor Day also serves as an opportunity to bring younger workers into the labor movement and continue a tradition that has been built over generations.
“It’s great to see this many young people here and some of our older members here, but to keep the young people here and keep that tradition moving forward,” Price said.