North Carolina’s Union Movement

VIDEO: Interview with James Andrews, David Zonderman

Jessica Cervantez of News 14 Carolina interviewed State Fed president James Andrews for a story about the work of the AFL-CIO in North Carolina and the recent victory at Smithfield Foods in Tar Heel.

“It’s a great victory for the workers there at Smithfield. For more than 16 years, they have tried to form a union. [The company] decided to allow workers to vote in a fair and free process and that led to this victory.” — News 14, 12/12/08

Cervantez also interviewed David Zonderman, a professor at NC State University and member of the Hear Our Public Employees coalition, about the reasons for low union density in the southeast - including right-to-work (for less) laws and the ban on public sector bargaining.

Zonderman also raises the reasons employers generally oppose organizing - power and keeping wages low:

“To a certain extent, that is one of the goals of unions is to get people living wage. But what we have to remember is when people make that wage they also often spend that money,” Zonderman said. “So union wage in some ways is actually good for an economy.” — News 14, 12/12/08

The decline in bargaining power for middle class workers since the 1980s corresponds with declining wages despite huge gains in worker productivity. Profits that should have been shared in wage increases were taken by executives and shareholders. Meanwhile exploding costs for health care, food, housing and transportation have put the squeeze on consumers’ buying power, and our economy suffers the consequences.

You can read the article and watch the video online.

The Inter-Mountain, a newspaper in Elkins, West Virginia, recently published the following letter from a Ford dealer, which asks the simple question, “Have you driven a Ford lately?”

As I watch the coverage of the fate of the U.S. auto industry, one alarming and frustrating fact hits me right between the eyes. The fate of our nation’s economic survival is in the hands of some congressmen who are completely out of touch and act without knowledge of an industry that affects almost every person in our nation. The same lack of knowledge is shared with many journalists whom are irresponsible when influencing the opinion of millions of viewers.

Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama has doomed the industry, calling it a dinosaur. No Mr. Shelby, you are the dinosaur, with ideas stuck in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. You and the uninformed journalist and senators that hold onto myths that are not relevant in today’s world.

[...]

So I’ll end where I began on the quality of the products of Detroit. Before you, Mr. or Ms. Journalist continue to misinform the American public and turn them against one of the great industries that helped build this nation, I must ask you one question. Before you, Mr. or Madam Congressman vote to end health care and retirement benefits for 1 million retirees, eliminate 2.5 million of our nation’s jobs, lose the technology that will lead us in the future and create an economic disaster including hundreds of billions of tax dollars lost, I ask this question not in the rhetorical sense. I ask it in the sincere, literal way.

Can you tell me, have you driven a Ford lately?

Jim Jackson, Elkins, West Virginia

You can read Mr. Jackson’s full letter at the Inter-Mountain web site.

Supporters of justice marched on company share holders meeting in 2007.

Workers vote to join UFCW

After 16 long years, workers at the world’s largest meat processing plant will finally get their union.

Last night, the company announced the results of an NLRB supervised election—2,041 ’Yes’ votes for UFCW to 1,879 ‘No’ votes.

Organizing at the Bladen County plant began almost as soon as it opened in 1992. After two failed election attempts in 1994 and 1997, in which the company was found to have repeatedly broken the law, the union launched the Justice @ Smithfield campaign to raise public awareness about abuses at the plant.

Victory came after the company and union settled a lawsuit earlier this year which paved the way for a fair election process. The Tar Heel, NC plant now joins the majority of Smithfield operations where a union is already recognized.

From the UFCW press release:

“When workers have a fair process, they choose a voice on the job,” said UFCW Director of Organizing Pat O’Neill. “This is a great victory for the Tar Heel workers. I know they are looking forward to sitting down at the bargaining table with Smithfield to negotiate a contract. The UFCW has constructive union contracts with Smithfield plants around the country. Those union contracts benefit workers, the company and the community. We believe the workers here in Tar Heel can achieve a similar agreement.”

Ronnie Ann Simmons, a veteran of 13 years at the plant said, “We are thrilled. This moment has been a long time coming. We stuck together, and now we have a say on the job.”

Workers at 26 Smithfield-owned facilities around the country already have UFCW representation.

Company spokesman Dennis Pittman, who announced the results, told the News & Observer the election was conducted fairly, adding, “We respect the employees’ decision and look forward to working together.”

Workers have voted to have a voice on the job, and we hope the company will stand by its commitment to respect what they have to say and negotiate in good faith with the union on a first-contract.

The NC State AFL-CIO has for many years now stood in solidarity with the workers at Smithfield Packing, and we will continue to do so.

Congratulations to the new union members at Smithfield Packing in Tar Heel, NC. Your courage and determination to form your union is an inspiration to the entire labor movement. Congratulations also to the UFCW, which never gave up on what has been a very long campaign.

Rally for workers at Moncure Plywood

The strike at Moncure Plywood is about to enter its sixth month. The stakes for workers who have been out on the picket line since July have never been higher. The company is intent on using the strike to break the union rather than come to an agreement.

We cannot let that happen. Join us to rally support for the human rights of Moncure Plywood workers, members of IAMAW Local Lodge W369.

What: Rally to support striking workers

When: Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 12 noon

Where: Court House Circle at intersection of NC-64 and US-15/501 in downtown Pittsboro, NC (map it)

Call the company, let them know you’re watching

Community support is needed to demand Atlas Holdings (www.atlasholdingsllc.com), the company that owns Moncure Plywood, respect the human rights of its workers.

The company thinks no one outside the union cares about what it’s doing to its workers in Moncure. You can tell them otherwise.

Use the contact information below to send a message:

I am contacting you to demand your company treat the workers in Moncure with dignity and respect. You should bargain in good faith with their union and return IAM members to work.

Misinformation abounds

The debate about whether the Congress should make available a bridge loan for the U.S. auto industry has been muddled by misinformation about the impact of the UAW’s contracts on the viability of Ford, GM, and Chrysler.

We are here to set the record straight.

The UAW has released The Truth about UAW Members and the U.S. Auto Industry, a detailed, point-by-point answer to several questions being asked in the media and in the Congress, including:

• Are UAW members really paid $73 an hour?
  No. This inaccurate and outdated figure includes the costs of pensions and health care benefits of retired employees spread out over the active workers; active workers never receive any of this compensation in any form. UAW wages start at $14 for new hires and go up to $33 for skilled trade workers.
• Do labor costs make up the majority of the cost of producing a vehicle?
  No. Only 10% is labor; the remaining 90% includes research and development, parts, advertising, marketing and management overhead.
• Do union work rules make domestic companies less efficient than their non-union competitors?
  No. In fact, nine of the ten most efficient auto assembly plants in North America are union plants.

Got the Facts? Make the Call to Congress!

Wall Street’s failures now threaten to bring down an entire industry - domestic automakers - that are suffering the consequences of the credit crisis. Three million jobs - many of them belonging to our brothers and sisters in the United Autoworkers - hang in the balance. In North Carolina alone, the collapse of the auto industry could cost 84,890 jobs.

Now is not the time to deny a bridge loan to the domestic automakers in order to push an anti-union agenda, which would punish generations of hard workers. Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler certainly shouldn’t get a free ride on the tax payer’s dollar. That is why Democratic Congressional leaders are demanding automakers demonstrate their viability and accountability before taking action. But doing nothing is not an option.

Please call the Capitol Hill switchboard at (877) 331-1223 and ask to speak with your member of Congress and both our U.S. Senators, Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr.

Tell them:

Congress must act in December to avoid the terrible consequences that would result from a collapse of the domestic automakers. It must pass legislation providing an emergency bridge loan to enable the domestic auto companies to continue their operations. At the same time, it should include requirements that will protect the taxpayers, and ensure the accountability and long term viability of the domestic auto companies.

Our brothers and sisters in the United Auto Workers would greatly appreciate your making this call today!

Avoid collapse of domestic auto industry

Since September the United States Treasury has used the financial rescue package passed by Congress to dole out hundreds of billions of dollars to Wall Street firms which played the securities markets like a slot machine in Atlantic City and now need help covering their bad debts.

Wall Street’s failures now threaten to bring down an entire industry - domestic automakers - which suffers the consequences of the credit crisis. Three million jobs - many of them belonging to our brothers and sisters in the United Autoworkers - hang in the balance.

The AFL-CIO Blog has a great entry about why the Treasury and some members of Congress seem to have decided what is good economic policy for one sector of the economy isn’t good for others:

Q. Why is handing out hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer funds OK if the recipients are Wall Street corporations but not OK if they are Midwest automakers?

A. Automakers are unionized.

Tell your member of Congress bankruptcy is not an option

Now is not the time to deny a bridge loan to the domestic automakers in order to push an anti-union agenda, which would punish hard working members in order to “let these people learn the lesson the hard way” as GOP Congressman Zach Wamp from Tennessee put it.

Aside from buying a house, buying a new car or truck is probably the largest purchase anyone will make in their lifetime. Would you buy a new vehicle from a bankrupt company?

Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler shouldn’t get a free ride on the tax payer’s dollar. That is why Democratic Congressional leaders are demanding automakers demonstrate their viability and accountability before taking action. But doing nothing is not an option.

Please call the Capitol Hill switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with your member of Congress. Tell them:

Congress must act in December to avoid the terrible consequences that would result from a collapse of the domestic automakers. It must pass legislation providing an emergency bridge loan to enable the domestic auto companies to continue their operations. At the same time, it should include requirements that will protect the taxpayers, and ensure the accountability and long term viability of the domestic auto companies.

You can read the Talking Points provided by the UAW for more information before making the call to your representative and our two U.S. Senators, Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr.

Workers at Moncure Plywood, members of IAMAW Lodge W369, have been on strike since July 20, when the company gave a take-it-or-leave-it final contract offer.

Workers have rejected the company’s demand for 60-hour work weeks, undermining seniority rights, increasing health insurance premiums by over 300 percent, and giving fewer holidays off.

The company has used fear, racism and favoritism to try to pit workers against each other. In September, union members found a noose hanging just inside the plant gate, near where they walk the picket line.

You can help strikers win a fair contract

Four months is a long time for anyone to be out on strike, but it only gets harder to be out of work this time of year, with Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching.

Show solidarity with the union members at Moncure Plywood. The local union needs supporters to walk the picket line and financial assistance to back the striking workers.

The plant is located at 306 Corinth Rd, Moncure, NC in Chatham County - about a 30 minute drive south-west from Raleigh.

You can make a contribution by sending a check to:

IAMAW Local Lodge W369
P.O. Box 318
Moncure, NC 27559

Contact Melvin Montford (901) 619-1987 or IAM W369 President Lewis Cameron (919) 770-5836 for more information.

What you need to know:

Time: Polls open at 6:30 am and close at 7:30 pm.

Place: Use the State Board of Election’s precinct locator to find your polling place.

Registration: You must be registered as of October 10, 2008 in order to vote. The best thing to do is check your registration before going to the polls.

Provisional Ballots: Under the law, voters must receive provisional ballots when their names do not appear on voting rosters when they go to vote. If that happens to you, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot! If a poll worker tries to turn you away, demand to cast a provisional ballot. Do not leave the polls without voting!

Stay in Line: We cannot stress this enough - STAY IN LINE! Expect record turnout and long lines, so be prepared to wait. If you’re in line at 7:30 pm, you have the right to cast a ballot, no matter how long the line ahead of you is.

The Weather: Forecasts predict rain in much of the state, today. Be prepared for precipitation by bringing a coat, poncho, or umbrella.

Clothing: Contrary to popular rumor, a voter who is wearing a political cap, T-shirt, or button and does not electioneer within the polling place will be allowed to vote in a normal matter.

Ballot Reminders: You have to vote for President separately. Voting for president should be the first thing you do when you receive your ballot. Straight-party-ticket voting DOES NOT INCLUDE PRESIDENT!

After you vote for president, you can vote a split ticket by:

1. Selecting the party as if you were voting a straight ticket and then selecting any candidate you wish to vote for of a different party; or
2. Not marking the party and selecting each candidate, one at a time, in each race you wish to vote for.

Judicial races are non-partisan and are thus excluded from a straight party ticket. They must be voted for separately!

Who to Call for Help: If you feel like you are mistreated when you vote, contact the national Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE, Democracy North Carolina at 1-888-OUR-VOTE or call the State Board of Elections at 1-866-522-4723.

Sen. John McCain continues to trot out his favorite political prop and substitute for actually addressing the concerns of middle class voters - Samuel “Joe the Plumber” Wurzelbacher.

It turns out at Wurzelbacher isn’t even a licensed plumber, makes far less than $250 thousand, and is a member of a non-union trade group that has endorsed John McCain.

We’d like to introduce you to some real, licensed and trained professional Plumber Joes:

• Joe “the Plumber” Vicena, UA Local 75
• Joe “the Plumber” Martinez, UA Local 3
• Joe “the Plumber” Tatum, UA Local 10
• Joe “the Plumber” Gutzwiller, UA Local 440

The Associated Press and News & Observer are reporting that the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and Smithfield foods have reached a settlement in the company’s lawsuit to end the union’s community outreach campaign, Justice @ Smithfield.

Election agreed to for Tar Heel plant

Since the Tar Heel plant opened in 1992, the UFCW has tried to organize workers in two elections - in 1994 and 1997. As part of the settlement, the union and company have agreed to a third election, likely to be held later this year.

For more information, read the about the settlement and the upcoming election.

Last week, NC AFL-CIO members of Change to Win protested outside the Republican Party office in High Point, NC. The group included our board member, Lewis Dishmon, President of UNITE HERE 294T, who spoke to WXII-12 news.

Watch the video.

Local 5287 defeats decertification by wide margin

With so much time and energy focused on our campaign to Turn Around America, there’s important news on the solidarity front in North Carolina’s union movement.

Good news from High Point - workers at Thomas Built Buses voted overwhelmingly to keep their union, defeating a decertification campaign launched by National Right to Work - 67 percent to 33 percent.

UAW has the full story on its web site.

It’s time to Turn Around America

This year, the North Carolina State AFL-CIO Convention, held at the North Raleigh Hilton, focused on labor’s effort to Turn Around America this election cycle. Many of the convention workshops and speakers emphasized the issues important to workers in this election, such as health care for all, the Employee Free Choice Act, fair trade, and the economy.

Visit our photostream to view pictures from the convention. Send us your photos.

We were pleased to have at the convention: Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, our endorsed candidate for Governor, Sen. Walter Dalton, endorsed candidate for Lt. Governor, and Sen. Kay Hagan, endorsed candidate for US Senate.

Convention delegates were impressed with the presentations by Joan Hill, United Steelworkers, Dana Cope, Executive Director of SEIU 2008 (SEANC), and Cathy Howell, Eddie Acosta and Nick Unger of the national AFL-CIO. These speakers clearly linked the economic concerns of workers with the need for policy changes in Washington, DC and Raleigh - changes that will only occur if the worker-friendly candidates are elected.

A major highlight of the 2008 convention was the COPE Banquet speaker, Brother Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America. Brother Roberts made the case to delegates why John McCain should not be elected president and be allowed to continue the bad policies of George Bush. He made clear the need to “Turn Around America” by electing Sen. Barack Obama, a strong supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act and other issues important to working families.

Another highlight of this year’s convention was the presentation of our 2008 P.R. Latta Award to BCTGM 229T and IAMAW 108. Members of both unions were on hand to accept the award on behalf of their membership which is slated to lose their jobs because their employer, Philip Morris Tobacco, announced the closing of the plant located in Concord, North Carolina. Brother P.R. Latta of CWA 3611 was on hand to make some remarks to the delegates before the presentation of the award.

During the convention, we recognized the affiliation of two worker centers with the state federation and area Central Labor Councils. The Beloved Community Center in Greensboro and the Western NC Workers Center in Morganton have long been allies of the labor movement, and we are proud to have them officially affiliated with us.

Delegates also raised $1,500 for the Moncure Plywood workers who have been on strike for a fair contract since July.

As part of convention business, delegates approved resolutions addressing the concerns of North Carolina working families such as education and training, protection of Social Security, support for an international container port terminal, justice for tobacco harvesters, support for our Labor 2008 program, and support for state and federal legislative issues, including collective bargaining rights for public workers and the Employee Free Choice Act.

Convention delegates also approved a small per capita dues increase of $.05 per member effective Jan. 1, 2009 and an additional $.05 effective Jan. 1, 2011.

Strike enters third month

The workers voted overwhelmingly to strike on July 20 after bosses gave a take-it-or-leave-it final contract offer that would mandate 60-hour work weeks, weaken the seniority clause in a way that could lend itself to favoritism, discrimination and racism, increase health insurance premiums by over 300 percent, and give fewer holidays off. Workers also raised concerns about unfair labor practices and safety violations.

Now is the time for us to show our solidarity with the union members at Moncure Plywood. Local Lodge W369 is asking for our help, including supporters to walk the picket line. The plant is located at 306 Corinth Rd, Moncure, NC in Chatham County - about a 30 minute drive south-west from Raleigh.

The striking Moncure workers also need our financial support. You can make a contribution by sending a check to:

IAMAW Local Lodge W369
P.O. Box 318
Moncure, NC 27559

For More Information Contact: Melvin Montford (901) 619-1967 or IAM W369 President Lewis Cameron (919) 770-5836

Gloria Craven of Eden, NC spoke Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO.

Gloria, a member of UNITE HERE, and her husband lost their jobs as textile workers when Pillowtex closed its doors in 2003. She had worked at the plant for 30 years when the company shipped her job overseas with no notice and no severance pay.

After going to community college using Trade Adjustment Assistance, Gloria encountered work-related medical problems. Now the bad economy, rising prices and lack of health insurance have left her and her husband in tough times.

In her speech to the DNC, Gloria said she’s ready for a government that will look out for people like her. Watch the clip.

Gloria Craven introduced Sen. Obama at last week’s Town Hall Meeting in Raleigh. North Carolina Public Radio WUNC did a great piece on her for that event, “Introducing Obama“.  The News & Observer also covered it in an article, “Former Pillowtex worker introduces Obama“.

Community Support Needed to Win Justice

Workers at the Moncure Plywood factory in Chatham County are under attack by their bosses and were forced out on strike. Now they need the support of our community.

What: Rally to support Moncure Plywood Workers
When: Tuesday, August 26th, 5:30pm
Where: downtown Pittsboro, NC

Download the community outreach flyer, available in both english and spanish.

The workers voted overwhelmingly to strike on July 20 after bosses gave a take-it-or-leave-it final contract offer that would mandate 60-hour work weeks, weaken the seniority clause in a way that could lend itself to favoritism, discrimination and racism, increase health insurance premiums by over 300 percent, and give fewer holidays off. Workers also raised concerns about unfair labor practices and safety violations.

The striking Moncure Plywood workers in Chatham County are organized in the union IAM local W369.

“With a 60-hour mandatory clause, they could work people seven consecutive days for weeks without a day off,” said Melvin Montford, IAMAW business representative, to a reporter with the News & Observer. “Even the slaves got off on Sunday.”

IAM local W369 President, Lewis Cameron expressed concern that community members may think they were striking just to get more money, although well deserved, he reiterated, “we are just trying to secure our rights to a decent job and to work with dignity.”

Unsafe Working Conditions

Last year the company was fined $37,000 for safety violations. Some wood cutting machines had no guards leading to one worker losing his thumb. There were holes in the concrete and water on the floor around dangerous machines. The plant was also found to have too much dust, a similar condition that contributed to the death of 25 workers in a fire at Imperial Chicken plant in Hamlet, NC in 1991.

There have been seven serious injuries in the past year and two workers were out of work for operations from repetitive motion injuries. Many workers are also forced to work when they are sick.

Bosses Using Racism to Divide Workers

In a plant that was 60% African American and 30% Latin@ before the strike, there was only one African American supervisor. Three African American supervisors were fired two years ago with little reasoning.

Bosses had told Latin@ workers that if they joined the union, they would be fired. The first time the bosses published any literature in Spanish, was just before the strike to tell lies about the union.

Since the strike, bosses have stated that they would not hire any more Black workers. In an atmosphere of anti-immigrant hysteria whipped up by the media to demonize immigrant workers and increased raids by armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on work sites hiring many Latin@ workers, it is understandable how easy it is for bosses to intimidate immigrant workers and make them fearful of joining the union.

The bosses are using this to hold back all workers – Black, Latino and white! We must unite to overcome this racist attack.

Solidarity Support Needed

Now is the time for us to show our solidarity with the union members at Moncure Plywood. Local Lodge W369 is asking for our help, including water, food, and supporters to walk the picket line. The plant is located at 306 Corinth Rd, Moncure, NC in Chatham County - about a 30 minute drive south-west from Raleigh.

The striking Moncure workers also need our financial support. You can make a contribution by sending a check to:

IAMAW Local Lodge W369
P.O. Box 318
Moncure, NC 27559

For More Information Contact: Melvin Montford (901) 619-1967 or IAM W369 President Lewis Cameron (919) 770-5836

Visit our photostream for pictures from the strike line .

Chamber of Commerce Members Rally for Greed

On Tuesday, August 19, over 150 union members and supporters converged on Hickory, NC to tell the truth about the Employee Free Choice Act.

Visit our photostream for pictures of the event. Did you take pictures? Send them to us.

The legislation would reform America’s broken union election system. It has passed the US House of Representatives earlier this year but stalled in the Senate due to a filibuster.

Several workers spoke in a roundtable discussion about the Employee Free Choice Act and the importance of unions, especially during tough economic times.

“A union card is the best opportunity for workers to get ahead and join the middle class,“ said Jim Davis, an Embarq employee, and President of CWA Local 3672 in Hickory.

“It’s a shame that now - when workers need help the most - that some CEOs and politicians don’t support workers’ freedom to bargain for better wages and benefits.” –Jim Davis

Small business owner Jim Logan of American Income Life in Charlotte spoke in favor of the Employee Free Choice Act:

“I can’t think of one good reason to oppose a union. Collective bargaining agreement benefits a highly trained and productive team. I can solve problems collectively, rather than dealing with everyone individually. It’s never hampered my business or ability to make a profit.” –Jim Logan

North Carolina workers are standing up for their rights. Now it’s time for Congress and the President to stand with them.

“For too long, workers who wanted union representation have been threatened for exercising their rights. The Employee Free Choice Act takes that power away from corporate America and lets workers freely choose whether and how they want to form a union.” –MaryBe McMillan

The Hickory Daily Record covered our event and the Chamber’s “Business vs. Labor” event. Channel 9 in Charlotte also interviewed UAW Local 5285 President Bob Riggins, who was part of a large group that stopped by the anti-union event before joining ours.

AFL-CIO Now, the national AFL-CIO’s blog also wrote a story about our event.

By electing a worker-friendly president and a worker-friendly, filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, we can ensure fairness for all American workers.

Sen. Barack Obama is a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act in the Senate, while his Republican opponent for president, John McCain, opposes the bill.

We are happy to announce that Teamsters Local 61 in Asheville has rejoined the NC State AFL-CIO. The Teamsters were among those national unions that left the AFL-CIO to form Change to Win in 2005.

In order to preserve unity in our movement at the state and local level following the break up, the AFL-CIO approved the issuance of Solidarity Charters. The Charters enable local unions and state councils of Change to Win to be members of State Feds and Central Labor Councils.

The return of IBT 61 means that every Change to Win union in NC that was part of our federation in 2005 has now received a Solidarity Charter.

Union workers at Moncure Plywood in Chatham County remain on strike and have been since July 20. The wood workers are members of IAMAW Local Lodge W369.

We need to show our solidarity with the union members at Moncure Plywood. Local Lodge W369 is asking for our help, including donations of water, food, and supporters to walk the picket line.

The plant is located at 306 Corinth Rd, Moncure, NC in Chatham County - about a 30 minute drive southwest from Raleigh.

Charlotte:

The 10th annual Charlotte Labor Day Parade will be held Monday, September 1, 2008 at 11 a.m. Our parade this year will feature local labor union floats, vehicles, and marchers. Political candidates, stepping groups, bands, car clubs, beauty queens, and community groups will also take part.

What: Charlotte Labor Day Parade
When: Labor Day, Mon. 9/1 at 11 a.m.
Where: Parade begins at the Hal Marshall Center, 700 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC
Contact: Ben Lee, parade chairman, 704-877-6916 or laborparade@aol.com

Canton:

The Western NC CLC and USW Local 507 will have a joint float in the Labor Day parade. Union members are requested to be at the Local 507 union hall, 35 Park St, Canton, NC, by 9:15 AM. From there we will travel as a group to the parade staging area.

The parade will last from 10:00 AM until around 11:30AM.

After the parade, we will return to the union hall, where an introduction of political candidates will be made and members may meet personally. Union members will be asked to go into the Hall and pick up union information on the upcoming elections.

The Canton parade will have a bluegrass band until 1:30 PM, and a vendor will be on hand for members to purchase barbeque sandwiches.

When: Canton Labor Day Parade
When: Labor Day, Mon. 9/1 at 9:15 a.m.
Where: Parade begins at the USW Local 507 union hall, 35 Park St, Canton, NC