Now more than ever, Labor Day has a powerful, special meaning for working families in New Jersey and America. Now more than ever, our union values of solidarity and fairness, of diversity and inclusion, of caring for every brother and sister in every possible way are carrying us through this historic and unprecedented health and economic crisis.
Together, our strength in unity gives us the hope and confidence that better days are ahead and not too far off. Together, we have the tools and know-how to lead our state and nation past the coronavirus. Together, we will continue to build and reinforce the middle class that Labor Day celebrates.
We especially take heart in knowing that almost two-thirds of Americans approve of labor unions, the highest level of support in nearly two decades. And that approval rating keeps climbing. Americans know that union sisters and brothers truly are essential.
We’ve been through tough times before, and we’ve always come through stronger and more united. This year will be no exception. Together, we win.
Please enjoy Labor Day. Now more than ever, you’ve earned it.
To honor workers…
FRIDAY: The Southern New Jersey AFL-CIO Central Labor Council will be laying a wreath at the Peter J. McGuire Memorial at Arlington Cemetery, 1640 Cove Road, Pennsauken NJ 08110, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020. In attendance will be New Jersey Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Rob Ansaro-Angelo, U.S. Rep. and IBEW Brother Donald Norcross, and Pennsauken Mayor Tim Killion and members of the Pennsauken Council. The George E. Norcross Humanitarian of the Year is being awarded to Barbara V. Jones, RN, President of JNESO-IOUE professional nurses of Virtua Hospital System, for her lifetime of contributions on the front lines of patient advocacy, community volunteerism, and work in the Labor Movement. The ceremony will observe social distancing. Face masks are required.
SUNDAY: The Annual Labor Day Celebration, co-sponsored by the American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark and the Borough of Haledon, is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. A march is tentatively scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the Botto House in Haledon, where the marchers will also finish. All participants are required to wear face coverings. The honored essential workers will be led by Grand Marshal Susan M. Cleary, President of AFSCME District 1199J.
MONDAY: The Labor Day March is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, at 42 Broad St., Elizabeth, to support The Workers You Forgot, the Workers You Left Behind. All participants must wear face coverings and observe the 6-foot social distance.
MONDAY: Bishop John Stowe of the Lexington, Kentucky, Diocese – a defender of Catholic social teaching on unions and worker justice – will celebrate the Catholic Labor Network’s first annual livestreamed Labor Day Mass, co-sponsored by the National AFL-CIO on Monday, Sept. 7, at 2 p.m. Click Here to RSVP.