By Angel Johnson
Labor Day is here, and as the holiday weekend approaches, many of us get to relax and enjoy our time off with family and friends. Labor Day is an occasion to loosen up and relax, but it is also a time to reflect on the accomplishments that hard-working Americans have contributed to our country.
Despite some very real challenges, labor has made some great strides in 2018, from Missouri voters overturning destructive right-to-work legislation, to AFSCME affiliates increasing their membership numbers even after the U.S. Supreme Court’s notorious Janus vs AFSCME decision.
During this three day weekend, the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and New York City will be hosting plenty of great events put on by organizations who know the value of good middle class jobs. Below are a sampling. Enjoy!
Los Angeles
Strut Your Union Stuff at the 39th Annual Labor Day Parade and Rally Picnic
When: Sept. 3
Where: 1331 Eubank Avenue, Wilmington, California 90744
What: It’s the largest Labor Day parade on the West Coast. Join your union brothers and sisters at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Labor Coalition’s 39th Annual Labor Solidarity Parade and Rally Picnic. The event includes free BBQ and other activities for the family.
Union: Multiple
Union Night at Dodger Stadium is Sure to be a Hit
When: Aug. 31.
Where: 1000 Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
What: Join the labor community for a night of solidarity and watch the Dodgers take on their division rival Arizona Diamondbacks. Pre-game festivities includes recognition of Local organizing accomplishments and tickets include a free Union Night T-shirt and post-game fireworks.
Union: Multiple
More Info: Click here
Book a Dock Date at Fleet Week
When: Aug. 31-Sept. 3.
Where: 425 S. Palos Verdes St. San Pedro, CA 90731
What: Bring the whole family to the Port of Los Angeles to celebrate our nation’s Naval services. This free event includes tours, military displays and live entertainment for the kids.
Union: ILWU
More Info: Click here
San Francisco
Score Some Labor Day “Bay-seball” with the Giants and A’s
When: Aug. 31-Sept. 3
Where: AT&T Park, Oakland Colliseum
What: The Giants host the Mets over Labor Day weekend at AT&T Park while the A’s, who are in the thick of the pennant race, meet their division rival Seattle Mariners, Friday-Sunday followed by a Labor Day matchup against the powerful New York Yankees.
Union: UNITE HERE, MLB Players Association
Get up Early for the San Francisco Labor Council Annual Pre-Labor Day Breakfast
When: Aug. 31
Where: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway 1500 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
What: Kick off the Labor Day weekend with your friends and colleagues in the labor community. Mayor London Breed will give updates on important labor campaigns.
Union: Mulitple
More Info: Click here
Chow Down at the South Bay Central Labor Council Labor Day Picnic 2018
When: Sept. 3
Where: IBEW Local 332, 2125 Canoas Garden Ave. San Jose
What: Join the South Bay Labor Council and its affiliates for food, entertainment and activities for the kids.
Union: multiple
More Info: Click here
Washington, DC
National Symphony Orchestra’s Labor Day Concert
When: Sept. 2
Where: 2700 F St. N.W. Washington, DC
What: NSO musicians Aaron Goldman, flute, Craig Mulcahy, trombone, and Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist alumna Leah Hawkins join the National Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor JoAnn Falletta for the NSO’s annual free Labor Day concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
Union: AFM
More Info: Click here
Exercise Your Mind at the Library of Congress National Book Festival
When: Sept. 1
Where: 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. N.W. Washington, DC
What: Bring the family to the annual celebration of books. Amazing authors, illustrators and poets will make presentations on stages dedicated to kids, fiction, history, biography, poetry, graphic novels and more. Many fascinating thematic programs and panel discussions will be offered throughout the festival.
Union: AFSCME
More Info: Click here.
Catch a Nats Game
When: Sept. 3
Where: 1500 S Capitol St. S.E. Washington, DC 20003
What: The Washington Nationals take on the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend and then face the Saint Louis Cardinals for a 1:05 pm Labor Day matchup. The first 20,000 fans at the Labor Day game get a Nats zip-up hoodie.
Union: UNITE HERE
More Info: Click here
Philadelphia
Spend Labor Day at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
When: Sept. 3
Where: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
What: Over the Labor Day weekend, catch the final days of the Modern Times: American Art 1910-1950 and the Art Splash: Bright Lights, Little City exhibition.
Union: IATSE
More info: Click here
Enjoy a Concert and Fireworks at Penn’s Landing
When: Sept. 1
Where: Columbus Blvd. and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia
What: Enjoy the traditional end-of-summer with a concert by the US Army Band Downrange followed by a fireworks salute. End the night at Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest or Spruce Street Harbor Park Sustained by Univest.
Union: IATSE
More Info. Click here
Rock out at the Made in America Festival
When: Sept. 1-2
Where: Benjamin Franklin Pkwy & N 21st St Philadelphia
What: Grab a ticket to one of the biggest music festivals in Philly. Produced by Jay-Z, The lineup includes Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Post Malone, Diplo and Zedd
Union: AFSCME
More info: Click here
New York City
Join the 2018 New York City Labor Day Parade
When: Sept. 8
Where: Starting at 44th Street & Fifth Avenue
What: The New York City Labor Day Parade celebrates the hard-working men and women in the city. If you want proof that NYC is union proud, come on out and check out the action.
Union: multiple
More Info: Click here
Visit the Statue of Liberty
When: Aug. 31-Sept 3
Where: Ellis Island
What: What better way to celebrate the history of hard working Americans and the freedom they enjoy than to visit the union-staffed Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty is open to visitors on Labor Day with departures from New York and New Jersey
Union: NFFE
More Info: Click here
Take a Walk in Central Park
When: Throughout Labor Day weekend
What: Enjoy a day out of the office by spending a relaxing day at Central Park. Grab a bike, check out the zoo, take a yoga class or just have fun watching the people at one of the city’s most popular meet-up sites.
Union: AFSCME
More Info: Click Here
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