The Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council this week announced plans for a Labor Day demonstration on the state Capitol Campus later this month followed by a community event in Lewis County.
The event, titled the “Rise Up Rally,” calls on public sector workers and their supporters to gather near the Tivoli Fountain on the Capitol Campus on Sunday, Aug. 31, one day before Labor Day. According to a flier on the organization's website and posted to its Facebook page, the event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Labor Day is about celebrating America’s workers — including our public sector workers. Join us at the state Capitol on the day before Labor Day and stand up for the people who have dedicated their lives to making sure we are safe and secure,” reads the council's Facebook post.
The organization describes the event both as a celebration of a day dedicated to appreciating workers who serve the public and as well as a demonstration against mass layoffs and dwindling public services.
“Working people rely on our public employees for vital services that keep our society running, but their jobs are being slashed, their voices are being silenced, and their rights in the workplace are being dismantled,” the council stated. “It’s time to demand an end to the assaults on our essential services, mass layoffs, and a broken system that focuses on making the rich richer and treats workers as liabilities. It’s time we had accountability and change from our leaders.”
In addition to the planned demonstration, the labor council announced its annual Labor Day event to be held at the VR Lee Community Building in Chehalis on Monday, Sept. 1. That event is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature breakfast, lunch and games for all who attend.
The event offers a chance for locals to meet union workers and learn about worker protections. During the event, organizers will also be collecting donations for the local food bank.
