Participation Had Ebbed
CLC Rains on Own Labor Day Parade

By MEREDITH KOLODNER

The AFL-CIO New York City Central Labor Council has decided not to hold a Labor Day Parade this year.

ED OTT: May try something new.

The labor movement has struggled in recent years to make the event more enticing and lively, and officials have been frustrated by the relatively small participation and viewership, especially when compared to the massive turnouts at the Puerto Rican, Caribbean and St. Patrick's Day parades. The move is not unprecedented, but this year represents a re-thinking of how best to celebrate the holiday.

Reviewing Options

"With the recent CLC reorganization and election of new officers," said CLC Executive Director Ed Ott in a statement, "the Executive Board agreed this year it would be best to remain focused on our organizational priorities and review the various observances of our Labor Day events as we consider how to march forward in the best way possible for workers."

The CLC in June approved a series of changes to its constitution and elected a new president and vice president.

BILL HENNING: 'Muscle' had atrophied.

In 1986, CLC head Thomas Van Arsdale cancelled the parade due to its declining attendance. The subsequent outcry re-established the tradition, which dates back to 1882. In recent years, the parade was moved from Labor Day itself, when the popular Caribbean Day parade is held in Brooklyn, to the following weekend. In 2004, the Labor Day Parade was replaced with a union-sponsored protest against President Bush, who was being nominated at the Republican National Convention held in the city just prior to the holiday.

Weren't Feeling It

Several labor officials admitted relief that the parade had been cancelled, saying that in recent years it had felt more like an annoying family obligation than a celebration of workers' power. Some said they would prefer a social event where families could gather. Others said they thought a parade was important, but that it needed a theme, such as universal health care, to give it a focus and generate a sense of excitement.

"It needs to be a display of working-class muscle, like the way St. Patrick's Day is a display of Irish muscle," said Communication Workers of America Local 1180 Vice President Bill Henning.

Asked if he thought the cancellation would signal a retreat by the labor movement, he answered, "I think it is a backing-off, but sometimes backing off is necessary to achieve a re-groupment."

The Labor Day mass celebration will be held as usual at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday, Sept. 9th at 10:15 a.m. Mr. Ott said that unions are encouraged to bring their banners for the 9:45 a.m. processional.