Lorain County Organized Labor - Labor Day Family Celebration

29/09/2023

31/08/2023

The 2023 Lorain County Organized Labor - 26th Annual Labor Day Family Celebration Committee Members

17/08/2023

September 3, 2023 -- Noon - 6:00 PM
Black River Landing - Lorain, Ohio
Free Admission

01/08/2023

Main Act Playing @ Lorain County Organized Labor - Labor Day Family Celebration --

MEDUSA
https://www.facebook.com/Medusabandofficial

08/06/2022

01/09/2020

One year ago at the 24th Annual Labor Day Family Celebration. Hopefully we'll be back next year to celebrate the 25th!

From The Morning Journal:

The 24th annual Lorain County Organized Labor Family Celebration took place, Sept. 1 at Black River Landing at 421 Black River Lane in Lorain, and featured entertainment and games for the whole family.

The event, which aims to support and honor the working folks in the county, was highlighted by an award presented to Lorain Police Chief Cel Rivera, who is retiring at the end of the year, for 25 years of supporting Lorain County organized labor as police chief.

“It’s a small way of saying thank you to a great man and supporter of ours,” said Harry Williamson Jr., president of Lorain County AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations). “We will be presenting him with a plaque. He has always been there anytime we have needed assistance. Anytime we have had events...you just pick up the phone and call him [Rivera], so this is a thank you for 25 years of support. With the chief here...everyone's meeting someone very, very important. There will be nobody...that can do what this man has done.”

Rivera, who did not know he would be receiving the award, talked about his time as an industrial worker.

“It has been my honor and my privilege to serve this community for 49 years (in the police department),” he said. “I’m here because my father was recruited from Puerto Rico in 1948 to work at the steel plant. When I came back from Nam (Vietnam), I worked a short time at Ford, couldn’t take it, and I went to the steel plant.”

Rivera then spoke on the importance of unions.

“I was the president of the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police),” he said. “It (FOP) is important to me because I was here when we didn’t have any training, we didn’t have any equipment, we didn’t make any money. You know what helped us: Our collective bargaining agreement that is still in place today. it came from UAW 425 (now local 2000). I came home (after visiting El Paso) to read an article about teachers not getting paid. The fight goes on, and I’m retired, I got a lot of time, I’ll be there to help fight.”

Williamson said the event is meant to be affordable.

“Entry to the event is free for folks,” he said. “The idea is for it to be something that is relaxed and fun for the whole family. It honors the workers who make this country what it is. We do that by making it affordable with 50 cent hot dogs, beverages, overall affordable food, games and activities for both kids and adults and live entertainment. We will also be giving away thousands of dollars in prizes.”

Williamson took time to mention political affiliations associated with the groups he represents.

“Unions have become synonymous with the democratic party,” he said. “Just because you are a Democrat, doesn’t mean you support organized labor. My feeling is you need to support us not just when you are here, but you need to support us year-round. I represent over 7,000 members in the county and 20,000 retirees. They deserve the support from politicians year-round. We put on this event for the hard-working men and women in Lorain County.”

Ciara Fulks, of Lorain, attended the event with her 3-year-old son, Damian Negron.

“It’s a great event,” she said. “It’s very family-friendly, and it’s a great event for the community.”

Karen Suzuki, of Elyria, visited the event with her 8-year-old son, Mike.

“It’s really great to be here, my son has really enjoyed himself,” she said. “Everyone is really friendly and there is a lot of stuff to do.”

31/12/2019

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Mark Your Calendar's For Sunday, September 6, 2020 -
Organized Labor's 25th Annual Labor Day Family Celebration

22/12/2019

Only 260 Days Until
The 25th Annual Lorain County Organized Labor
Labor Day Family Celebration!

04/09/2019

Lorain Police Chief Cel Rivera speaks after being given a recognition award from Organized Labor at the 24th Annual Organized Labor - Labor Day Family Celebr...

04/09/2019

Harry Williamson, Co-Chair of the 24th Annual Lorain County Organized Labor - Labor Day Family Celebration presents Lorain Chief of Police Cel Rivera with an...