Celebrate, rededicate at Labor Day events

UPDATED — The article has been updated to add the Space Needle picket in Seattle on Labor Day at 3:30 p.m.

Labor Day is a celebration of the incredible contributions of America’s working people. Through sweat, sacrifice and innovation, workers built this country and make it run every day. Several of the regional AFL-CIO central labor councils across Washington state are planning Labor Day picnics and events on Monday, Sept. 7 to celebrate and honor the working men and women who are the foundation of this state’s economy.

This Labor Day, AFL-CIO organizations and other labor and community groups are rededicating ourselves to pushing a Raising Wages agenda with policies that make the workplace fairer for everyone. That includes raising wages, schedules that
work for working families, the ability to use earned leave for sick days and other emergencies, and expanded overtime protection so people don’t have to keep working more for less pay.

All workers and their families in Washington state are invited and encouraged to join in the following activities on Labor Day:

BURLINGTON — The Northwest Washington Central Labor Council invites all to its annual Labor Day Picnic from Noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7 at the Maiben City Park, 1011 Greenleaf Ave. in Burlington. It’s a potluck so (if you can) bring your favorite side dish. If not, come anyway and enjoy great food, conversation, music face-painting, and more. Get details.

CASTLE ROCK — The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council invites union members and their families to attend their Labor Day Picnic starting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7 at Toutle River RV Park, 168 Dwight Road (Exit 52 off I-5), in Castle Rock. Get details.

CHEHALIS — The Thurston-Lewis-Mason Counties Labor Council invites union members and their families to its annual Labor Day Picnic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7 at Stan Hedwall Park, 1501 Rice Road (I-5 exit 76) in Chehalis. Get details.

KENNEWICK — The Southeast Washington Central Labor Council invites union members and their families to its annual Labor Day Picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7 at Columbia Park’s Main Stage,  5111 Columbia Park Trail in Kennewick. Get details.

LAKEWOOD — The Pierce County Central Labor Council and Washington Federation of State Employees Local 793 invite all union members and their families to a Labor Day Picnic from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7 at Fort Steilacoom State Park’s picnic pavilion, 9200 Steilacoom Blvd. SW in Lakewood. Get details.

SEATTLE — The M.L. King Jr. County Labor Council will host its annual Labor Day Celebration on Monday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lower Woodland Park’s Shelters 1-3, N. 50th St. & Woodland Park Ave. N. in Seattle. This free event will feature live music, ice cream, hot dogs, sodas, popcorn, clowns, games, face painting, and raffle prizes. Get details.

Also Monday, Space Needle workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 8, and their community supporters will conduct a picket and protest at 3:30 p.m. at the base of the Space Needle, 400 Broad St. in Seattle. On Labor Day, Space Needle workers are taking to the picket line to demand assurance from the private owners of the Symbol of Seattle that they’ll still have their jobs come next September.

TACOMA — In addition to the picnic in Lakewood, the Pierce Council Central Labor Council will again host its annual Ralph Chaplin Memorial Day Service at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7 at the gravesite of the famous labor activist and “Solidarity Forever” songwriter at Calvary Cemetery, 5212 -70th St. West in Tacoma.