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Labor Day in Michigan

Date Posted: September 17 2010

ONE OF THE MEN credited with the founding of Labor Day in 1894, carpenter Peter McGuire, suggested “setting aside one day in the year to be designated as ‘Labor Day,’ and to be established as a general holiday for the laboring classes.” The day, he said,   “should first be celebrated by a street parade, which would publicly show the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations. Next the parade should be followed by a picnic or a festival in some grove….”

Union members in several Michigan communities did their part to celebrate Labor Day this year.


BOILERMAKERS LOCAL 169 members, celebrating their 115th anniversary, led the Detroit Labor Day march down Michigan Avenue.


PLUMBERS, PIPE FITTERS and Service Trades Local 174 members and family got a little damp on Labor Day in Muskegon.


PLUMBERS AND PIPE FITTERS Local 111 members on the march in Ishpeming, near Marquette.