"Working For a Better Life"
Union members, families, and faith and community leaders will gather over the Labor Day weekend to celebrate the incredible achievements of people who are working for a better life.
"Every day, working people get up and work hard to create a better life for their families and for their communities, as well as all working people. It's time for America's economic policies to put people and families first, instead of the interests of a handful of wealthy and out-of-touch corporate CEOs. Working people deserve to make a good living in order to live a better life," said Ken Sagar, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO.
The Iowa AFL-CIO, together with other labor and community groups, have partnered together to bring awareness of the problem with the current minimum wage and wage theft issues throughout the country. The broader labor movement is working to push a Raising Wages agenda through 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.
"Labor Day is a time when our country should reflect on how we build an economy that works for everyone," said Sagar. "America should work for we the people, not just the wealthy and well connected."
Iowa Labor Day Activities 2015
September 5: Saturday
Lucas: The John L Lewis Labor Festival, Lucas Iowa. 6 am breakfast, parade at 9 am. numerous events all day long. 641-766-6421 or 641-766-6544. Contact Mark Cooper mark@scifl.org or 641-766-6421 or 641-766-6544.
September 6: Sunday
Clinton: Eagle Point Park Lodge, in Clinton. Noon to 3 PM. Pulled pork sandwiches, hotdogs, baked beans, chips and beverage. Door prizes, 50/50 drawing and kids games. Speakers. Contact Dave Keefer at dkeefer@lu25.org or 309-230-6576.
Ottumwa: Labor Day picnic, Noon to 4 PM. Jimmie Jones Shelter in Greater Ottumwa Park. Contact Steve Siegel, sj_siegel@yahoo.com or 515-971-3325.
September 7: Monday
Burlington - Des Moines/Henry CLC Picnic . at 40 and 8 park in Burlington. (Directly behind the Bees Ballpark) 4 pm to 7 pm. Food served. Speakers. Kid's activities. Contact Ryan Drew RDrew@local150.org 319-753-5316.
Cedar Rapids: Picnic 11 am to 4 pm. Hawkeye Downs, 4440 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids. Music by members of the Musician's Union. Door Prizes, and kids entertainment. Food, beverages, car and bike show, face painters. Food served 1130 to 130. AFL-CIO Secretary/Treasurer Liz Shuler will be in attendance at this event. Contact Rick Moyle at rmoyle@hawkeyelabor.us or 319-396-8461.
Council Bluffs: Picnic in Downtown Omaha, 16th and Cass Street, starting at 10 am. Picnic with the Pottawattamie County Democrats at 1 PM at Lake Manawa shelter #6 in Council Bluffs. Contact Scott Punteney at spunteney@cox.net or 712-527-2810
Des Moines - Parade and Picnic. Parade Line up at 8 am at corner of East 12th and E Grand. Parade route is east on Grand to the State Fair Ground. Parade starts at 11 am. Angela Connolly will be Grand Marshall for the parade. Contact Mark Cooper at mark@scifl.org or 515-265-1862
Dubuque: Parade starts at Jackson Park, 9:30 am. 16th and Main and ends at 7th and Locust. Contact Bruce Clark. hawkeyerad@hotmail.com or 563-599-7725.
Iowa City: Picnic - Noon to 5 PM at Upper City Park, Shelter #3. Iowa City. People are encouraged to bring a side dish to share but join us even if you don't! All members, families and Friends of Labor are invited to attend! For more information contact Jesse Case at iowacityfed@gmail.com. 319-361-3212.
Keokuk: Parade, kids activities; bands, food. Gathering at the Keokuk Labor Temple, 301 Blondeau St. Keokuk. Contact Gary Mortimer at garydalemo@hotmail.com or 319-670-1103
Mason City: North Iowa Nine Labor Council - Free Labor Day Picnic. 11 am to 3 pm. Georgia Hanford Park, 22nd St., SE Mason City. - Open to Public. Food and drinks. Contact Gerald Miller gwmiller71@gmail.com or 641-530-0187.
Quad Cities : 32nd annual Labor Day Parade Alliance - Quad Cities. Parade starts at 11 am. Call Joshua Schipp at 309-738-6536 or solidarity@quadcityfed.com. Parade in downtown East Moline.
Sioux City: Labor Day Picnic. Riverside Park. Food served at noon. Speakers. Contact Rick Scott at atulocal779@gnmail.com or 712 898-4915.
Waterloo/Cedar Falls: Picnic at Gateway Park, Cedar Falls. 11 am to 3 pm. Food, drinks, games. Contact Cal Eckhoff at cal.eckhoff.ia@gmail.com or 319-232-2484.
