Rochester’s local labor community kicked off the Labor Day parade on Monday with remarks from organizers and local officials. A recent labor law for farmworkers was a highlight.
Mary Sullivan, with the Civil Service Employees Association says that this holiday comes from labor organizing.
"Today is our day! Labor Day was founded to celebrate you, me, and everyone who works for a living," She says.
Labor wins this year include the passing of the New York state Farmworkers’ Fair Labor Practices Act, which allows for farm laborers to collectively organize, have a day of rest, and be paid overtime for work over 60 hours per week. That statewide law takes effect in January.
Gabriela Quintanilla with the Western New York Rural and Migrant Ministry says it has taken over 20 years for this bill to be passed. She says the law also includes protections for migrant and undocumented workers.
“It has no bearing in legal status," Quintanilla says. "Everyone is entitled to have the right to this labor law in New York state.”
Mary Sullivan says the fight for decent livelihoods of workers is not over.
"Every individual who toils in a position anywhere in this country has the right to a decent life. And if we in the labor movement are not strong and use the power that we have, that will never ever happen," Sullivan says.
Shortly after Sullivan's comments, Rochester Firefighter Eddie Santiago was named Labor Day Grand Marshal at Monday's parade.
Local union executive Dan Maloney presented the blue sash to Santiago at the end of a press conference preceding the parade.
“We have voted, the new Grand Marshall for this Labor Day Parade: Mr. Eddie Santiago." Maloney announced.
Santiago, president of the Rochester Firefighters Local 1071 union, said he was proud of the local unions’ solidarity in a recent fight with the city to keep brownouts, or dynamic staffing, from shutting down certain firehouses when staffing is low.
The issue sparked on July 1, when the Rochester Fire Department’s Engine 1 was closed, stirring concerns among community members and firefighters.
“On July 1, the mayor’s office put the community and the firefighters’ safety in jeopardy," Santiago says. "Not only was I able to witness a community come together and take on this battle with the Rochester firefighters but all local unions stood in solidarity with us."
Santiago says unions sent letters to the Mayor Lovely Warren’s office and city council. In a particularly public moment, Mayor interrupted a union press conference to present a proposal. Santiago told her it was not the appropriate time, and he rejected her proposal.
While the policy hasn’t changed, Santiago says there haven’t been any further issues since.
