Union Members Talk Politics
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Union members talk politics Video by nbc26.com
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NEENAH, WI--Labor Day is stirring up political feelings, one day before the Democratic National Convention. At the 30th annual Labor Celebration in Neenah union members stay strong ahead of the November election.
Apprehensive of the attack union members in Wisconsin have come under in the last few years, they are staying politically engaged even on a holiday.
Thousands out to enjoy the celebration, but with all the fun and games politics is still on the minds of many.
"The unions and the Democratic party is the voice for the working class," said union member Owen Jones.
A volunteer at the event, Jones is also a bricklayer. Like many union members he's concerned about Republicans pushing right to work legislation in November.
"When you get right to work union wages go down immensely. When union wages go down immensely so will the non-union wage," said Jones.
A strong democratic presence at the celebration as volunteers hang political signs. But this is just the beginning.
Come tomorrow they will start gearing up for the fall elections both on the local and national front.
"We will be out in the streets, going door to door, getting our message out to our members and their family members and we are going to make it clear who is on working people side and who is not" said president of the Fox Valley Area Labor Council, Mark Westphal.
For Jones, it's a message worth fighting for.
"I think its extremely important for working class people union or not to get involved in this election and fight for their rights," said Jones.
The U.S Department of Labor says the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City.
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