Members of United Steelworkers Local 6166 and a couple hundred fellow Thompsonites celebrated Labour Day under sunny, cloudless skies at the Steel Centre Sept. 6.
The festivities included a barbecue that created long line-ups of hungry attendees as well as live music courtesy of Monalith, a band whose members are all Steelworkers that was dubbed "Thompson's greatest rock band" by USW Local 6166 president Murray Nychyporuk.
Following the food and Monalith's first set, the crowd heard Labour Day messages from Thompson Mayor Tim Johnston, MLA Steve Ashton and MP for the Churchill riding Niki Ashton, who all reminded them that the day was more than just a vacation from work.
Johnston thanked organized labour for all they've done to build and develop Thompson over the years, as well as the role union members employed by the city played in implementing the Safe Operation program, which is modeled on Vale's Safe Production program.
Niki Ashton spoke of the need to protect pensions and remember not to take the concessions unions have gained through the years for granted.
Steve Ashton recalled his own roots with the Steelworkers and urged the crowd not just to attend events like this, but also to support policies that benefit workers and their families.
Nychyporuk asked the crowd to purchase T-shirts being sold to raise money for Vale workers in Voisey's Bay.
"Open your wallets for our brothers and sisters in Newfoundland," he said.
The celebrations closed with the foot races that have been traditionally held at the union's Labour Day picnic.
