Philadelphia's union workers celebrate Labor Day with a parade

Union workers across Philadelphia gathered for a Labor Day parade on Monday morning.

Thousands of union workers from at least 50 different labor groups took part in the 39th annual Tri-State Labor Day Parade and Family Festival. The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO hosted the event at the Sheet Metal Workers' Local 19 union hall at Washington Avenue and Columbus Boulevard.  

Festivities began with a rally where union and civic leaders celebrated the work of organized labor and the laborers these unions represent.

"Every worker deserves the rights and benefits that they bargain for. Every worker deserves a safe workplace, and every worker deserves to be represented in the workplace by a union," Lt. Gov Austin Davis said.

"Labor Day is about family; it's about celebrating our union siblings, letting the community know we're here for them just as well," said Nicole Fuller, a retired United Auto Workers member.

The parade went down Washington Avenue toward Passyunk Avenue, before turning around and returning to the union hall for a family festival.