Union leaders in Southwestern Pennsylvania want to use this year's Labor Day Parade to send a message to state and federal lawmakers: pass transportation legislation to put people back to work.
Allegheny County Labor Council President Jack Shea said he expects 70,000 to march in the 2011 parade, with both unionized and non-union workers invited to take part in the "March for Jobs." This is the first year non-union workers will be marching.
Shea said the region's unemployed workers are denouncing state budget cuts to the Port Authority of Allegheny County, and demanding that federal lawmakers expand the country's transportation budget.
"What we want to do is say loud and clear, not only to our federal representatives, but our state representatives, 'Hey, this cut in transit is actually another shot at the working class, another shot at the middle class,'" said Shea, "because, say what you want to say, but my friend, if you can't get to work and get back home, you're going to lose your job."
The Labor Day Parade step-off is slated for 10:00 AM on Monday, September 5, at the corner of Center Avenue and Washington Place, near the Mellon Arena.
