New York City's union movement marked Labor Day yesterday in a far different way than in past years, turning its annual rally into a commemoration of the nearly 3,000 people, including 600 union members, who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.þþIn a rally at Battery Park, political leaders, union presidents and even George Steinbrenner, the principal owner of the Yankees, gathered to hail New York's workers for the courage they displayed and sacrifices they made on and after Sept. 11.þþÿAll Americans, but particularly organized labor, were heros on 9/11,ÿ Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said. ÿIt will go down in history that the most successful rescue effort ever was organized by our Fire Department, Police Department and Port Authority Police Department, that saved 25,000 lives that day.ÿþþMr. Bloomberg spoke to a crowd of more than 8,000 union members, including janitors, garment workers, electricians, supermarket workers and municipal employees. Denis M. Hughes, president of the New York State A.F.L.-C.I.O., asked for a moment of silence, which was followed by bagpipes playing ÿAmazing Graceÿ and a flyover by two military jets.þþGov. George E. Pataki, who enjoys an unusual amount of labor support for a Republican, spoke first and also singled out union members for their heroic role on Sept. 11. ÿThe men and women from every walk of life responded with incredible courage from the first moment,ÿ he said.þþEdward J. Malloy, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, emphasized the work ahead in rebuilding ground zero. ÿThis place will not be the same again, but it should not become less than it was,ÿ he said.þþTraditionally, the city's labor movement held a parade and rally on Labor Day, but six years ago it moved the parade date to the Saturday after Labor Day because so many workers were vacationing on Labor Day. But union leaders held their event yesterday because this Saturday is Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, and because they did not want the event to be so close to the anniversary of Sept. 11.þþþ
Source: NY Times
