Labor Parade To Spotlight Wounded Military Veterans
By ARI PAUL

The Labor Day Parade, which will return in full march after last year's edition took the form of a rally highlighting 9/11-related health issues, will feature honorary grand marshals not from a labor group but from an organization for wounded military veterans.

ED MALLOY: Honor vets' courage.

The parade will take place on Sept. 6 - the Saturday after Labor Day - and will feature representatives of the Wounded Warrior Project, a group that among other things helps wounded veterans find work when they return from battle and re-adjust to civilian life.

'Bring Attention to Patriots'

"New York City's working men and women in the building and construction trades have a long history of military service and dedication to those who have worn the uniform of this country," said Ed Malloy, the president of the New York Building and Construction Trades Council, in a statement. "There is no higher calling than supporting the brave men and women who have been wounded in service to our nation. We believe this year's Labor Day Parade, honoring the Wounded Warrior Project and Helmets to Hardhats, will bring even more attention to the courage of these great patriots and the obligations all Americans have to the heroes of our military when they return home."

The AFL-CIO New York City Central Labor Council did not hold a parade last year, opting instead to have a rally in support of 9/11 rescue and recovery workers suffering from work-related injuries and illnesses. Labor officials have noted that in some years, such as 2004 during the Republican National Convention, the CLC has held a rally around a specific issue rather than a parade. Union leaders have been frustrated in recent years by the relatively small participation in the parade, especially when compared to the larger turnouts at the Caribbean, Puerto Rican and St. Patrick's Day parades.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. and start at 5th Ave. and 44th St. and continue north to 72nd St. This year's parade chairman will be Stuart Applebaum, the president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.

'A Lot At Stake for Workers'

"We want our perspective out there," Mr. Applebaum said, pointing to higher unemployment rates and the higher costs of living. "Working people have a lot at stake."

Specifically, he hoped the parade would galvanize support among union members to help elect a new President who is committed to easing organizing rights. While Mr. Applebaum didn't name names, much of the labor movement is supporting Sen. Barack Obama against Sen. John McCain.

"When we march, we are making an important statement about what our values are and we're working to ensure that our concerns will be part of the national debate," he said. "When we start marching I don't think we're going to stop until Inauguration Day in Washington. This is really the kick-off of labor's election campaign for the fall."