Once again, Labor Day in St. Paul won?t be boring.
?We?re doing a home-grown version of last year?s extravaganza,? said Shar Knutson, president of the Saint Paul Trades and Labor Assembly, which organizes the annual event.
That means plenty of opportunities for fun at Harriet Island on the banks of the Mississippi, and also plenty of opportunities to soak up some knowledge while soaking up sun (or some beverage). Events run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Labor Day. Organizers expect some 5,000 people to attend.
Speak up, listen up
National AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer Richard Trumka will be keynote speaker, highlighting the need to fix ? or maybe replace ? American labor law so workers can claim a voice at work and have a right to organize that actually means something. Congresswoman Betty McCollum will join Trumka in pushing labor law reform.
Also taking the stage will be Jim Hightower and Granny D, back from last year?s Rolling Thunder event.
A series of workshops will take place on the Centennial Showboat, including sessions on the true cost of living in Minnesota, debunking the myths of rising health-care costs, mobilizing in Miami against the Free Trade Area of the Americas, fighting for labor issues in the halls of the Legislature and Congress, supporting this fall?s Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, and deciding WWWD: What Would Wellstone Do?
A special tribute to the memory of Paul and Sheila Wellstone will take place during the afternoon.
Dr. Patch Adams ? yes, the guy the Robin Williams movie is based on ? will lead a featured workshop, emphasizing his belief that ?healing should be a loving human interchange, not a business transaction.?
Ramble around, settle down
Spread under tents will be exhibits by several dozen unions and allies spreading the word about vital issues and campaigns. One whole section will be devoted to fair trade and attempts by the Domestic Fair Trade Working Group to advance global fair trade policies here in the United States.
Meanwhile, the traditional picnic trappings will still be there ? an interfaith worship service at 11 a.m.; a free lunch of chips and hot dogs at noon; games and other activities for kids throughout the day.
Music will include the Granary Girls ? Patty Kakac and Jodi Ritter ? a socially active folk duo from the prairies of western Minnesota; Leon Von Rude?s Bavarians polka band; Eskit; Papa John Kolstad and the Hot Club of East Lake Street; and Dave Thune?s Backstreet Boogie Band.
Beer, soda, burgers and an assortment of sandwiches will be for sale to quench any thirst or appetite you build up from a little twisting or shouting. Also for sale will be $2 raffle tickets for prizes such as two airline tickets (courtesy of Northwest), two bicycles (courtesy of Union Bank), a color TV (courtesy of Delta Dental), or cash. Vendors will be on hand to sell progressive books and union-oriented clothing.
To volunteer
Union members and others who want to take shifts to help out during the Labor Day Extravaganza should call Lynne Larkin-Wright, 651-222-3787 ext. 16.
View a complete Labor Day schedule at the St. Paul Trades & Labor Assembly website, www.stpaulunions.org.
Share
Once again, Labor Day in St. Paul won?t be boring.
?We?re doing a home-grown version of last year?s extravaganza,? said Shar Knutson, president of the Saint Paul Trades and Labor Assembly, which organizes the annual event.
That means plenty of opportunities for fun at Harriet Island on the banks of the Mississippi, and also plenty of opportunities to soak up some knowledge while soaking up sun (or some beverage). Events run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Labor Day. Organizers expect some 5,000 people to attend.
Speak up, listen up
National AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer Richard Trumka will be keynote speaker, highlighting the need to fix ? or maybe replace ? American labor law so workers can claim a voice at work and have a right to organize that actually means something. Congresswoman Betty McCollum will join Trumka in pushing labor law reform.
Also taking the stage will be Jim Hightower and Granny D, back from last year?s Rolling Thunder event.
A series of workshops will take place on the Centennial Showboat, including sessions on the true cost of living in Minnesota, debunking the myths of rising health-care costs, mobilizing in Miami against the Free Trade Area of the Americas, fighting for labor issues in the halls of the Legislature and Congress, supporting this fall?s Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, and deciding WWWD: What Would Wellstone Do?
A special tribute to the memory of Paul and Sheila Wellstone will take place during the afternoon.
Dr. Patch Adams ? yes, the guy the Robin Williams movie is based on ? will lead a featured workshop, emphasizing his belief that ?healing should be a loving human interchange, not a business transaction.?
Ramble around, settle down
Spread under tents will be exhibits by several dozen unions and allies spreading the word about vital issues and campaigns. One whole section will be devoted to fair trade and attempts by the Domestic Fair Trade Working Group to advance global fair trade policies here in the United States.
Meanwhile, the traditional picnic trappings will still be there ? an interfaith worship service at 11 a.m.; a free lunch of chips and hot dogs at noon; games and other activities for kids throughout the day.
Music will include the Granary Girls ? Patty Kakac and Jodi Ritter ? a socially active folk duo from the prairies of western Minnesota; Leon Von Rude?s Bavarians polka band; Eskit; Papa John Kolstad and the Hot Club of East Lake Street; and Dave Thune?s Backstreet Boogie Band.
Beer, soda, burgers and an assortment of sandwiches will be for sale to quench any thirst or appetite you build up from a little twisting or shouting. Also for sale will be $2 raffle tickets for prizes such as two airline tickets (courtesy of Northwest), two bicycles (courtesy of Union Bank), a color TV (courtesy of Delta Dental), or cash. Vendors will be on hand to sell progressive books and union-oriented clothing.
To volunteer
Union members and others who want to take shifts to help out during the Labor Day Extravaganza should call Lynne Larkin-Wright, 651-222-3787 ext. 16.
View a complete Labor Day schedule at the St. Paul Trades & Labor Assembly website, www.stpaulunions.org.