Every year writers make earnest efforts to pay homage to the labor movement and workers’ rights on Labor Day. Some have more success than others. This year, Labor Day means something on the Iron Range. With a contract deadline looming at three Iron Range mines, strike preparations are being made in Hibbing, Eveleth and Virginia. Without a tentative agreement, the region faces a deadline of midnight Sunday for a potential strike.
Steelworkers at the Minorca mine in Virginia have authorized a strike if there’s no agreement. Steelworkers at the Cleveland Cliffs mines at Hibbing and Eveleth are negotiating as well.
That charges the usual political and cultural events of the holiday even more than usual. I will be especially interested in what happens at the 5th Annual Day Before Labor Day Picnic at Olcott Park in Virginia on Sunday. (1-2:30 p.m., along 9th Ave. W.). Al Franken will be there on his 8th CD tour with Rep. Jim Oberstar. This gives Al a chance to demonstrate solidarity with Iron Range workers when it matters most. It also lets him point out the importance of health care reform, because health care costs are central to most collective bargaining contract disputes these days.
Labor Day itself brings the traditional favorites of the Cloquet Labor Day Picnic and Bovey Farmers Day. It’s looking like I’ll be at the Farmers Day Parade with the family (the kids are finally old enough to enjoy parades). These are great events, but this year carry even more meaning.
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