"It's Better in a Union" Youth Art Show
North Shore AFL-CIO kickstarted 2025 Labor Day celebrations on August 28th with an “It’s Better in a Union” Youth Art Show and Open House at Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Parma-Snow branch. Children of union households were invited to participate in a Labor Day art contest by submitting original artwork reflecting the history of Labor Day and the contributions of the American labor movement. Participants represented union households from CTU Local 279, RWDSU, UWUA G-555, OPEIU, IAFF, and North Shore AFL-CIO. Visit the CCPL Parma-Snow branch (2121 Snow Road, Parma, OH 44134) to view the art on display through September 10th!
LABOR DAY AND THE AMERICAN LABOR MOVEMENT
Labor Day is rooted in the labor movement of the late 19th century when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday celebrating the working people who built America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. On September 5, 1892, New York City’s Central Labor Union organized a day of street parades, picnics, and parties to show the strength and camaraderie of the community’s labor and trade organizations. In following years, Labor Day celebrations spread across states and in 1894 Labor Day was declared a federal holiday to be celebrated on the first Monday in September.
Today, Labor Day is still celebrated across the United States with parades, picnics, and parties over the long Labor Day weekend. This Labor Day weekend, take time to lift up the contributions and importance of America’s workers.
“IT’S BETTER IN A UNION”
Workers deserve the freedom, fairness, and security that comes with joining a union. Union members work together to negotiate and enforce a contract with management, guaranteeing the things people care about – like fair wages, safe workplaces, job security, affordable health care, and retirement security. We can thank unions for the eight-hour workday and the five-day workweek. When working people come together, we make things better for everyone!
CHILDREN’S BOOKS ABOUT UNIONS AND LABOR LEADERS
Participants in the art contest received a union-themed children’s book donated by North Shore AFL-CIO and the Cleveland Teachers Union. The Cuyahoga County Public Library Parma-Snow Branch also has a number of books available!
- Please Please the Bees, Kelly
- The Only Woman in the Photo, Krull
- Lola Out Loud, Torres
- Brave Girl, Markel
- Viva’s Voice, Donoso
- Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop, Duncan
- Who was the Voice of the People - Cesar Chavez, Blas
- Mother Jones and her Army of Mill Children, Winter/Carpenter
- The Untold Story of A. Philip Randolph, Tyner
