Thousands of union workers are celebrating the annual “Labor Day Fest” in Des Moines. Dan Albritton is the president of the South Central Iowa Federation of Labor representing unions in 14 counties. The S-C-I-F is hosting the event which began with a pancake breakfast and activities at the state fairgrounds Sunday. The events continue today. There’ll be a parade at 11 o’clock from the capitol to the state fairgrounds. Albritton says four presidential candidates will march with union members in the parade. Events continue this afternoon at the fairgrounds. He says they have free hot dogs and pop from noon until four o’clock. They’ll also have a professional temporary tattoo artist for the kids, along with rides and a min presidential forum. Albritton says having the presidential candidates at the event is important. He says it’s a great opportunity to tell the candidates their concerns about the federal government and the changes they’d like to see. Albritton says the election is one of the top issues for union members this Labor Day. He says there’s been a record number of job losses under the Bush administration and union members would like to get back to the good economic times we’ve had. Albritton says anyone who wants to show support for organized labor is invited to attend today’s events.
