Labor Council gathers to remember workers
Jerrod Dunker and Nodie Aloe get the corn on the cob ready to be served at the Washington-Green Central Labor Council picnic on Labor Day. The pair from the Scenery Hill Tradesmen’s Inn served up picnic grub.
State Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane Township, buys a handful of 50-50 tickets from Betty Smutny of Smith Township at the Washington-Greene Central Labor Council Labor Day picnic at the South Strabane Fire Department Monday. Many local politicians stopped by the picnic to grab some food and talk to union members.
Barry Andrews, president of Washington-Greene Central Labor Council, talks to Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone at the Labor Day picnic Monday.
Many of the jobs most often associated with labor unions have left the landscape of Washington and Greene counties with the closing of mines, mills and factories.
But, on the first Monday of September each year for the last 40 years, members of Washington-Greene Central Labor Council gather for fellowship and to remember those who toiled to improve the quality of life for the country.
Labor Day is a creation of the labor movement and dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s website. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. The Central Labor Union of New York encouraged other cities to follow suit.
“This picnic is a place for all to celebrate our lives and what we do,” said Barry Andrews, who was named president of Washington-Greene Central Labor Council in the spring after being named interim president in January. “It is a way for us to thank our membership for their support.”
Andrews, whose wife, Linda Andrews is treasurer of the group, said there were 11 labor council affiliates represented at Monday’s picnic at the grounds behind South Strabane Township No. 1 fire hall in Pancake.
Membership in the labor unions and trade councils has dropped locally in the last decade.
“We had an upswing in the mid-1990s,” said Andrews, who is a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. “But after 2002, things went to hell in a handbasket.
“The economy flattened out. Some companies went out of business or consolidated,” he added. “Some mines that consolidated were not honoring labor contracts.”
Andrews put some of the blame on Gov. Thomas Corbett as well as some legislators in Harrisburg.
“They are turning their back on labor by working on privatizing liquor stores and the lottery,” Andrews said. “Corbett said he is making a commitment to business in the state and do whatever it takes, even if it means turning his back on labor.”
Andrews said the labor council does have a strong relationship with Congressman Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair.
“He supports the efforts of miners,” Andrews said. “It is gratifying to have someone on the other side of the aisle.”