Solidarity Parade celebrates strength of Massena's unions

MASSENA — The 30th annual Solidarity Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Monday. The parade will start at Center and Willow streets and proceed down Main Street to Springs Park, where a picnic will be held for union members and their families.

This year's parade theme is "Unions: Here to Stay for a Stronger Tomorrow."

The Labor Day parade celebrates the tradition of unions, labor and blue-collar life that is woven into the fabric of Massena, said Ronald P. McDougall, parade co-chairman and Central Trades Labor Council President.

"Massena has always been a so-called union town," Mr. McDougall said. "Unions throughout history have played a major role in Northern New York, particularly in Massena."

The parade has attracted up to 2,000 people in past years, Mr. McDougall said. It's still a huge draw even though hundreds have been laid off or idled from the General Motors Powertrain plant or the Alcoa East Plant in the last several years, he said.

"It's a recognition of organized labor as part of Massena and the greater Northern New York heritage," Mr. McDougall said.

The first Solidarity Parade was in September 1981, when United Auto Workers and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members took a short march to Alcoa field.