Every year on Labor Day, union members come together to celebrate family and community. Here are this year’s events.
- PORTLAND — The region’s largest Labor Day picnic takes place at Oaks Amusement Park in Southeast Portland, sponsored by the Northwest Oregon Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Members and their families from dozens of unions – more than 15,000 people – turn out for barbecue, games, carnival rides, raffle drawings, music, and a chance to hear from local politicians. The picnic runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a kids’ scavenger hunt, and a blood drive challenge. Politicians take the stage at 1 p.m. Free shuttle train: Labor Day is the busiest day of the year at Oaks Park. To help union members avoid traffic jams and parking headaches, the Northwest Oregon Labor Council has made arrangements with the Oregon Pacific Railroad for a free shuttle train into Oaks Park. The train boards at Southeast 4th and Caruthers, near OMSI. There is plenty of street parking near the McLoughlin Overpass and McCoy Millwork, and the Portland Opera will open its parking lot — yellow spaces only. The pin code for the gate will be 1895. The 5-mile shuttle runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last train). For more information, call the Northwest Oregon Labor Council at 503-235-9444.
- ASHLAND — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Emigrant Lake, Picnic Shelter D, 5505 Highway 66, Ashland. Food and entertainment for the whole family. Lunch will be served at noon. Vehicle fee of $4. Sponsored by the Southern Oregon Central Labor Chapter.
- BEND — 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Pioneer Park, NW Wall St., Bend. There will be food, drinks, and live music. Bring your family! Invite your friends! Please bring a dessert, everything else will be provided. Sponsored by the Central Oregon Labor Chapter.
- SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON Southwest Washington-Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Counties Labor Council and Southwest Washington Labor Council are teaming up for a good old-fashioned union Labor Day picnic. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Haydu Park, 253 Kalama River Road, Kalama, Washington. There will be barbecue lunch, music, kids’ games, local politicians, and more.
- EUGENE/SPRINGFIELD — Splash Pool Picnic Shelter, 6100 Thurston Road, Springfield. Noon to 3:30 p.m. Hamburgers, hot dogs, live music, door prizes. Please bring a side dish to share. Sponsored by the Lane County Central Labor Chapter.
- SALEM — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Riverfront Park, 230 Front St., SE, Salem. A barbecue with all the fixings will be provided. Guest speakers from 11-11:30 a.m. Request two non-perishable food items per person, or $2 per person for the Marion/Polk Food Bank. Sponsored by Marion-Polk-Yamhill Labor Chapter. Contact Will Music at 503-598-6344 or [email protected]
- NORTH BEND/COOS BAY — There is no picnic this year.
I’m running for Pete Sorenson’s Lane Co. Commissioner seat in 2020 I’d like a chance to speak at the picnic. I’ve run TWICE before & was Pete’s research asst. in the summers of 2016 & 2017. I’m like a female Bernie Sanders or Eliz. Warren, but believe om a balanced budget! More later. Thank you.
I need to correct the above post. I was Sorenson’s research asst. during the summers of 2017 & 2018! I’ve consulted with Phil Barnhart and he told me my ‘speech’ should be limited to 3-4″. Is that right? WILL I get to speak, too? I never heard back about this. I HOPE SO! I’ll have some campaign literature,too,& will be free to talk with people AFTER the picnic, re their Lane Co. concerns. I WILL be taking notes, if you don’t mind, since it helps me to remember. I’ve ALREADY suggested to Heather Buch, Berney & Sorenson that they RE-VISIT the commission boundaries, which were changed during the past LESS progressive board’s admin., in this case. Heather said she would put it on the Lane Co. Commiss. agenda for Sept. and or Oct.! See, it DOES pay to make your voice heard! I hope people WILL turn out for these hearings! Now that there IS a more progressive board, it’s WAY PAST TIME, in my opinion, to re-draw the district lines back to the way they were – MUCH fairer & MORE equitable.
Sincerely,
Sandi Mann, B.A.S.W., M.A.
Candidate for Lane County Commissioner, District 3 (Downtown, University, South & parts of West Eugene