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CNY's Labor Workforce Observes Labor Day at the State Fair

John Smith/ WAER News

Not everyone is going to the last day of the 2014 State Fair just because of dollar offerings. Syracuse and Central New York workers make the annual trek to the fair to join in strong numbers to show the pride they feel about their jobs, serving their communities and the respective union that backs them with worker's rights and protections. They started off with the usual parade procession from the Indian Village to Chevy Court. CSEA members chanted, "We are the union... the mighty, mighty union," as they held signs.

President of the Syracuse Labor Council and a member of the Physician Teamster Alliance Dennis Nave says it's a day to celebrate workers.

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Listen to the President of the Syracuse Labor Council Dennis Nave.

"This is the workers’ day. This is something the unions fought for to have this day off. New York State is the most unionized State in the United States. We’re very proud of that and we’re proud of the performance of the unions... what they’re doing for the middle class in this country.”

Nave adds that includes healthcare benefits and workers’ rights and safety in the workplace and maintaining a living wage.  Sally Heater says her family has been participating in the parade and rally on Labor Day spanning four generations.

Credit John Smith/ WAER News
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John Smith/ WAER News
Sally Heater marched in the parade and spoke to us afterwards.

"We come out because we want to show support of the union and we want to show other people that there's no shame in belonging to a union."

 
The significance of the day is similar for Ronald Harrison of Syracuse.

Credit John Smith/ WAER News
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John Smith/ WAER News
Mark Harrison marches in the parade.

“Yeah just showing support for our brothers and sisters and their unions. There’s a lot of work to be done there. Too many to list, probably. But, we continue to make improvements.”

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Hear Ronald Harrison talk about Labor and how it's doing for workers.

Secretary-Treasurer Mark May of Teamsters Local 317 in Syracuse, feels that marching through the State Fair gets the word out two ways.

 
"It's important that Labor gets together, all the different trades and unions; so, that we come together and everybody all but, sees it. Our own members see that we're together."

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Listen to Mark May talk about why he feels Unionized Labor is necessary for workers.

Credit John Smith/WAER News
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John Smith/WAER News
Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 317 takes time to speak to WAER News along the Labor Day Parade route.

 
Tonight's final Concert of the State Fair features the Doobie Brothers at 6PM at Chevy Court and free with dollar admission. Want to know where to find those dollar deals ? Here's a link to the list of participating fair vendors: http://www.nysfair.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2014-Dollar-Day-Vendors.pdf

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.