NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Fox Valley Area Labor Council celebrated Labor Day with a decades-old tradition.
The 39th annual labor celebration was held Monday in Neenah.
Event organizers for the Labor Day parade and festival say the holiday is meant to honor anyone who works.
“This is for all workers,” Fox Valley Area Labor Council President Mark Westphal said.
The event featured live music, games and food — all meant to thank the workers in the Fox Valley. Westphal tells FOX 11 it’s the one day of the year they get to do so.
“Let’s face it, somebody’s got to do the work,and if we don’t do it, it doesn’t get done. And it’s the contributions to our local economy, our community, even our employers. So, it’s important that people get recognized for their efforts throughout the year.”
While many workers were enjoying their day off, the Fox Valley Area Labor Council had been planning an event that draws in roughly 1,000 people a year. Organizers said it’s important to keep admission free and other prices low so all can enjoy.
“It’s a challenge every year. We do have to raise some money to make all this possible,” Westphal said. “You know, it doesn’t look like it, but it costs about $15,000 to put on this event.”
Westphal says it’s been more challenging for those in the workforce over the last few years with the labor shortage. He hopes the festival shows them the kind of respect that some aren’t getting in their jobs.
“Employers are having a hard time finding workers — but who does most of that problem fall on? The incumbent workers,” Westphal said. “Because if your employer’s short handed and you work there, guess what? They’re going to ask you to work longer hours. A lot of people might not be able to make it here today because they’re being forced to work.”
Westphal says the Fox Valley has a higher union density rate than many other regions in the state, but the number has still been declining.
This was the second year in a row with an event in Neenah after the 2020 festival was canceled due to the COVID pandemic.
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