CINCINNATI — Union workers from across the Greater Cincinnati Area celebrated Labor Day at the Reds Stadium, with a party hosted by the AFL-CIO and others supporting workers’ rights.
It’s the second year in a row they came together at Great American Ball Park, after hosting the event for decades at Coney Island.
What You Need To Know
- Union workers celebrated Labor Day for the second straight year at Great American Ballpark
- The AFL-CIO and other labor organizations showed their support for Ohio's workers
- workers enjoyed a pre-game party before the Reds took on the Seattle Mariners
- Local politicians, including Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, participated
“It’s a family day for working people,” said Brian Griffith of the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council.
“Workers will play some wiffle ball, they’ll do some pitching and catching and they’ll do some sitting at the tables and chatting,” he said. “It’s a day to celebrate us in a house that we built (the stadium).”
The event attracts workers, union leaders and politicians. In the past, Presidents Clinton and Obama have spoken. This year, the speakers were local officials, including Cincinnati’s Mayor Aftab Pureval.
“The community of the Tri-State area relies so heavily on organized labor to continue fighting for higher wages, better benefits,” Pureval said. “Organized labor built our middle class not just in this region but the entire country.”
Campaign posters and politicians are always a part of this picnic for organized labor, but retired iron worker Jimbo Fischer was more concerned with playing some wiffle ball with his grandson, Branson, who is in a wheelchair.
“He’s excited,” Fischer said. “He’s looking forward to seeing the game.”
He said Branson has the same fighting spirit as union workers who built this country.
“He likes jumping out of his wheelchair and sliding,” Fischer said.
Fischer said that the teamwork you see on the field reminds him of his union coworkers and friends.
“We were a good group of guys. We looked after each other,” Fischer said. “When you got a brotherhood and relationship like that, there’s nothing wrong with being union.”
Organizers say the Reds stadium is the perfect place to celebrate their bond.
“The Great American Ball Park is one of the places that our blood, our sweat, our tears went into the building and it’s good to bring the party here.”
After the pre-game party, workers and their families could root for the Reds in their game against the Seattle Mariners. The Reds won, 6-3 Monday night.