WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Peter DeJesus, Junior serves as President of the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF), whose Regional Labor Federation’s 140 affiliated Local Unions combine to represent 145,000 Union Workers in the Public and Private Sectors and the Building Trades. 

Labor Day 2021 is upon us.

It is a time to recall past struggles and successes since the first Labor Day in 1882.

It is also a time to reflect on current challenges and to refresh our commitment to the interests of Working People.

The past 18 months of the COVID-19 Pandemic have been difficult.

We have been forcefully reminded that tomorrow is never promised and that life is truly precious.

The uneven responses across the country have demonstrated the inadequacies of the U.S. Health Care System.

It has also demonstrated that, despite these massive failures, Working People have stepped into the most challenging life and death situations without hesitation.

Across the board, in every aspect of our lives, from Grocery Store Workers, Bus Drivers, Postal Workers, Truck Drivers, Ambulance Personnel, Warehouse Workers, Food Production Workers, Police and Fire, those in essential industries, School teachers (distance learning), Municipal (Blue and White Collar) Workers, Home Care and Day Care Workers, Farm Workers and anyone else putting their own lives and the safety of their families at risk performing essential services, it has been firmly established that ALL workers are ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

This year, as we gather for our annual Labor Day Parade and Picnic here in Buffalo, let us again stand in solidarity as Essential Workers and celebrate Labor’s enduring contributions to American Society.

We have much to celebrate and we have much work ahead of us.

In addition, since we have a deep sense of responsibility to each other as Workers and as people, let us gather in a responsible manner mindful that the pandemic continues to disrupt our lives.

The Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation, the Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and its Labor Day Committee have worked with the City of Buffalo and Erie County to assure that we celebrate Labor Day responsibly in accord with all CDC guidelines.

CDC guidelines include wearing a mask – if not vaccinated, and social distancing.

We respectfully request that attendees of our Labor Day Parade and Picnic honor those CDC requirements.

We are Essential Workers, and we are responsible to each other and our communities.

Let us all do our part to assure we continue to protect and move our community forward.

Thank You for your enduring support and cooperation.

Let us have a great 2021 Labor Day Parade and Picnic.