About 200 unions, local leaders march in Pittsburgh's Labor Day parade
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — After a two-year hiatus, the Labor Day parade returned to downtown Pittsburgh. This year many workers also marched for fair labor conditions.
"We all deserve fair wages, better health insurance," said Shannon McBride, a certified nursing assistant at The Grove at Irwin. "We're doing this not just for ourselves but for our residents. They are our family."
McBride is just one of nearly 700 nursing home workers across the state who is on strike.
SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, which represents the workers, said Comprehensive Healthcare and Priority Healthcare failed to provide enough investment in staffing and care.
"We're trying to get back to our residents, but we're healthcare workers under attack right now," said McBride. "We're all sticking together to get what we all deserve."
Workers from the Grove facilities in Irwin, Harmony, New Castle and Washington rallied together to kick off the parade.
SEIU President Matt Yarnell said this year is very significant because it's uncommon to have striking workers in the parade.
"Our members know that someone has to stand up," said Yarnell. "This system has failed residents for far too long. This system has failed workers for far too long, and we are working to get the resources to improve care and we have to settle contracts that improve care."
The nurses have a sea of support. About 200 unions and local leaders were at the parade along with state Rep. Summer Lee.
"This is the heart and soul — tens of thousands of men and women coming out, protecting their rights, celebrating their holiday," said Darrin Kelly, the Allegheny-Fayette Labor Council president. "I'm so proud of this movement. I'm so proud of these striking workers who are here today. This is going to be a great day."
Even with the rain, workers were thrilled to continue their tradition.
"We're really happy to be back. It was a long 2 years," said Lance Huber, the UFCW Local 1776 director. "I think it's a celebration of workers and the labor movement as a whole too, and all the different things the labor movement has brought to all working people."
The final stop: the United Steelworkers Building to mark the end of what they consider one of the largest parades in the country.
The SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania president said there are still no scheduled contract talks, but they're ready to sit at the table to negotiate as soon as possible.
"We're out here so we can get a better contract, better staffing," said Deborah Gray, who works at The Grove at Washington.
The parade also kicks the political season into high gear. Lt. Governor John Fetterman, the Democratic candidate for senate, marched with the United Steelworkers and was joined by the Democratic candidate for governor, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
Fetterman, who is recovering from a stroke, didn't speak with reporters on Monday. His aide said he is still having auditory problems and would not be able to hear the questions through the crowd noise.