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This year’s Labor Day festivities brought SEIU 721 members into the streets across Southern California to celebrate the many contributions of working families to our society.
Los Angeles
At the Port of LA, SEIU 721 members joined with the Coalition of LA City Unions to march for respect, dignity and good jobs at the 34th annual Labor Solidarity Parade. Dozens of members turned out, including SEIU 721 President Bob Schoonover, Vice President Linda Dent and State Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer.
“I’m a member of SEIU 721 and I have worked for the City of LA for 25 years. I’m here today in solidarity with my labor brothers and sisters. Working families are under attack and we need to stop it. They are the strong middle class that has helped our country survive. We need to embrace them and build America. And that’s what labor is all about.”
-Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer
A rally and BBQ in Banning Park followed the parade. Elected officials from across the city and state attended, including LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, U.S. Congresswoman Janice Hahn, LA City Councilman Joe Buscaino and State Assemblyman Ed Chau, among many others. Bob Schoonover delivered a rousing call to action, urging all of labor to support the struggle of fast food and other low-wage workers for better pay and union rights.
“Labor Day is for everybody, especially workers. Both private and public sector workers have to come together because this is about our country’s history and our future.”
-Phoury Chhun, LA County GAIN Services Worker
“For me, it’s about getting a fair deal for working people. We have to stand up for ourselves and our rights.”
–Charley Mims, LA City Chief Construction Inspector and SEIU 721 Executive Board Member
Tri-Counties
SEIU 721 members in the Tri-Counties area marched in the Santa Paula Labor Day Parade. State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson joined members on the city’s crowd-filled Main Street.
After the parade, SEIU 721’s COPE was a key sponsor of the Central Labor Council’s Labor Day Picnic in Camarillo. The CLC Picnic celebrated workers in the Tri-Counties region and featured a host of labor leaders, working families and elected officials.
View photos from the Socal Labor Day events:
Why do SEIU 721 members care so much about Labor Day? It’s simple:
“We are building the labor movement. Our movement is critical to fighting for more jobs, saving public services, saving Social Security, and helping to secure a safe environment and good jobs. We need strength and unity between public and private sector workers. We all need to be together.”
-Kennan Sheedy, LA County Patient Financial Services Worker, USC Medical Center