Union Members March in Official Inaugural Parade

January 21, 2009

(Photo courtesy Oliver Whitney/AFL-CIO)

A group of over 250 union members braved the freezing temperatures yesterday to participate in the inaugural parade for President Barack Obama. Joining representatives from across the country and members of our armed forces, the American Workers contingent included members from the AFL-CIO, Change to Win and the National Education Association. The group, carrying a banner which read “America’s Workers: United for Change” and marching in front of a union-made float representing the diversity and strength of America’s workers, received an enthusiastic response from our new President and First Lady as they passed the Presidential viewing stand. Marchers carried flags for the issues that are important to working families: “Economy that Works for ALL,” “Great Public Schools,” “Good Jobs Green Jobs” and “Health Care for ALL.” Fred Mason, president of the Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO, coordinated the effort to make sure working Americans were represented in the parade. Of the nearly 1,500 groups who applied to participate in the official parade only 100 were selected, and the labor group was one of the largest in the parade.

“The workers’ contingent is America at its best—people of different races, faiths and professions coming together for a common good. These are the day-to-day heroes who make this nation great.”

Read more about the parade at the AFL-CIO Now blog and the Boston Globe.