PRESS RELEASE from Change to Win
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 15, 2009
CONTACT:
Change to Win: Noreen Nielsen
AFL-CIO: Alison Omens
NEA: Staci Maiers
HUNDREDS OF UNION
MEMBERS TO MARCH IN 56th INAUGURAL PARADE
America’s Workers
United For Change
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On January 20, hundreds of America’s working men and
women will join representatives from across the country and our armed
forces to participate in the official inaugural parade for the nation’s
44th president, Barack Obama. The 2009 inauguration marks the first
time in recent history that representatives from America’s labor unions
have been invited to march in the official parade. The 265-person
ensemble will include members from Change to Win, the AFL-CIO and the
National Education Association.
“The Inaugural Parade is a celebration of America and the people that
make this country great,” said Change to Win chair Anna Burger. “From
the members of the armed forces who have dedicated their lives to
protecting our nation, to those who build our roads and bridges, teach
our children, take care of the sick and elderly, transport our goods,
process our food, and keep our nation running. Working families are
excited to seize this moment and revive the American Dream. We are
honored to take part in this truly historic tradition.”
The delegation of marchers will lead the only pro-worker float down the
parade path under the theme of “Honoring America’s Workers.” The
marchers will carry a banner with the slogan “America’s Workers: United
for Change” along with flags that represent the issues most important
to working families: an Economy that Works for All, Great Public
Schools, Good Jobs Green Jobs, and Health Care for All.
“America’s working men and women are celebrating an historic new
beginning today,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “Our nation is
built on the hard work of people just like those marching in today's
parade—the nurses, teachers, firefighters, construction workers and
others who are our nation's union members. Let’s honor them and
honor this great nation.”
The entire float was fabricated by union carpenters, welders, sculptors
and painters. Constructed of steel, wood and foam, it will rise more
than seventeen feet in height and span twenty-four feet in length.
Outlines of the different “faces of labor” will surround the float to
salute the backbone of our country—the hard working men and women that
get up and go to work everyday. A Teamsters member will drive the truck
supporting the float through the parade route.
“NEA and its members are proud to join AFL-CIO and Change to Win in
this first-ever labor-sponsored inauguration parade float,” said NEA
President Dennis Van Roekel. “The ‘America’s Workers United for Change’
parade unit, including the participation of 43 public school employees,
provides organized labor the opportunity to emphasize the important
role of America’s workers in helping to renew America’s promise.”
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