PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia’s Labor Day Parade drew an unusually large turnout on Monday, but not everyone who was expected showed up.
The unofficial last day of summer was the most beautiful of the season, drawing thousands of union members, their families and politicians from every level of government.
Labor Day not only marks the unofficial end of summer, but also the unofficial start of the general election season. Politicians flocked to the pre-parade rally, including Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who is running for reelection with his boss.
“As long as Josh Shapiro and I are in charge in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania will never be a right-to-work state,” he said.
Councilmember Mike Driscoll, sporting an electricians union T-shirt, said the city’s elected officials show up not just to get support, but to show support.
“It’s important for politicians to stand with labor to let them know we have their back, because nationally, they’re being attacked,” he said, “and we gotta make sure here in Pennsylvania and here in Philadelphia, they know we’re behind them every step of the way.”
There was a rumor that former electricians leader John Dougherty — who was released from prison Friday after a presidential commutation of his six-year sentence for corruption and embezzlement — wanted to attend, but he was not spotted. That was just fine for current IBEW Local 98 President James Foy.
“I’m not really concerned,” he said. “I’m more happy about the turnout to celebrate economic, social issues that organized labor throughout history has made sure they have done great things. That’s all I’m concerned about. I think the union’s positioned well. We’re doing great.”
This year’s parade took a new route — up Washington Avenue and back to the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 hall for what one called “the world’s longest buffet line.”
