ALEXANDRIA, Ind. —
Charles Barth and his family have attended the annual Labor Day union picnic for years. It’s a great way, the retired General Motors and Guide Lamp worker said, to see old union friends.
Barth was one of hundreds who celebrated the holiday celebrating workers and the unions that protect them during the picnic sponsored by Madison County Solidarity Labor Council on Monday afternoon at Beulah Park in Alexandria.
“We have such a good time visiting, getting together with friends and relatives,” Barth said. “It is a holiday for the men who worked all these years in labor jobs to take the time off to enjoy themselves.”
His daughter Kristy Soultz said coming to the picnic is like a tradition for the family and that the holiday is one that should be honored and remembered.
“It is import for the community to celebrate all the hard work and labor that these workers have done,” Soultz said. “They have done so much for the community that the community should honor all that hard work.”
Patrick Hill, president of the Solidarity Labor Council, said the event is free to the public as most of the workers here are represented by the more than 60 unions in Madison County.
“This is the day for working people,” he said. “It is a day to come out, get away from home and be among other workers and relax. We want everyone to have a good time.”
In addition to the free lunch, the picnic featured a car show, UAW retirees hobby and craft fair and an auction to benefit the Madison County Fire Rescue House. The park’s playgrounds were filled with children playing as well enjoying the breezy Monday afternoon.
“We are hoping to make this even bigger and better next year,” Hill said. “Part of the union’s job is promote the community with events like this one.”
Linda Parker said she was enjoying the event. She brought her 1955 Chevrolet Belaire for the picnic’s car show.
“This is a great event for everybody who has worked in their life,” she said. “This is for those who have had hard jobs and for their families to enjoy. The holiday is about recognizing the people who have worked so hard and put their heart into their career. This day is a way to show them that we appreciate that work.”
Parker retired as a logistician with the Department of Defense in 2007 after 31 years.
Etty Dean O’Connor has been enjoying retired life for 20 years after leaving Remy, where she was a part of the union. She said she appreciates everything the union has done and understands the importance of Labor Day.
“It is important because those that labor need to rest,” she said. “An event like this on Labor Day gives us a chance to enjoy the people we worked with.”
O’Connor was one of several representatives from the UAW Hobby and Crafts club. She said the crafts keep her busy now that she’s retired and enjoys showing people what she does now that she’s retired. The club’s next craft show for the group is Oct. 20 at the union hall on 29th Street and Madison Avenue.
Contact Abbey Doyle, 640-4805, abbey.doyle@heraldbulletin.com.
Local Business
Related Photos
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Dave Tierney, left and Tony Coppock fill a pan to boil hotdogs for the Madison County Solidarity Labor Council's free Labor Day Picnic at Beulah Park in Alexandria.
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Leah Henson, 3, smiles while her father Brent Fuller pushes her on the swing at Beulah Park in Alexandria, during the Madison County Solidarity Labor Council's free Labor Day Picnic. THB Photo/Aaron Piper
Discussion
Union picnic opportunity for workers to gather, relax
Labor Day celebration held at Beulah Park
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