Labor Day, a federal holiday dating back to Sept. 5, 1882, was officially signed into law on July 28, 1884, by President Grover Cleveland. This was a significant achievement for American workers, who were given the first Monday in September off from work.
Labor Day is not just a day off. It is a reminder of the legacies of labor and conflict and and a recognition of the struggles workers have faced to secure their rights.
Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer with festivities often including worker-oriented parades.
Here in Mansfield, we have a longstanding tradition of celebrating Labor Day with a parade followed by a community event at the Richland Carrousel Park. Labor unions have always stepped up, providing food, drinks, cotton candy, ice cream, face painting, balloon artists and more — all free of charge to the citizens of our area.
The Laborers Union, LiUNA Local #1216, hosts a large golf outing each year where funds are raised for local charities. They continuously assist these charities throughout the year on various projects.
As a proud Steelworker and union labor leader, I know organized labor feels a deep obligation to give back to our community and share the fruits of our labor. These events allow us to do that.
But this is not the only time of year we give back to the community. As the 2012 United Way co-chair, I have seen firsthand how generous local labor workers are. For years, organized labor unions have combined to give hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities annually.
This tradition continues today, even though our labor workforce is no longer as large locally as it once was.
Mansfield has produced great local union labor leaders. Dan Martin, who served as the district director of the United Steelworkers, now has the USW Local 169 hall named after him.
Ken Estep, retired Steelworker and former United Way Labor Liaison and now Richland County Veterans Service Commission director, has helped countless community members.
And let’s not forget Kenneth Cooper, who was appointed IBEW International president in 2023. Cooper began his career in 1985 at Local Union 688 in Mansfield.
The fact is unions have been a significant part of our community.
As of one many local union leaders, I understand the importance of good jobs with benefits, which are becoming increasingly scarce in Mansfield. Just north of our city, at the Old Reformatory off Route 545, there is a museum dedicated to local industries — many of which are now only memories of our parents’ generation.
Companies like Tappan, Westinghouse, General Motors and many more once thrived here, but sadly, they no longer do.
But there is good news for Ohio workers. They still have a chance at the American dream, thanks to the work done by the Biden-Harris administration that includes the infrastructure bill, the CHIPS and science bill and the Inflation Reduction Act.
A new wave of industrial growth is happening all around us, but it requires the support of our local leaders to ensure it happens in Mansfield. Without their active involvement, we risk losing more jobs and the workers that will move to places where they can jobs to support those families.
Many families, like mine, came to Mansfield in the 1950s through the 1970s for good-paying union jobs. Now, workers are leaving because those opportunities are harder to find.
Local labor wants what is best for our county. Walk through downtown and see the monuments or drive out Route 42 towards Ashland and check out the wetlands’ schoolhouse — these are just a few of the contributions labor has made to this area.
Our local leaders have promised to make this is a priority. Let’s focus on our children’s future and work together to bring jobs back to our area — good jobs that will build our community strong again.
Norm Shoemaker
President
Mid-Ohio Area Labor Council