Over 500 People Attend 40th Annual Labor Day Picnic in Ithaca: List of Awards

On a close to perfect late summer day, over 500 people attended the Tompkins County Workers’ Center’s 40th Annual Labor Day Picnic @ Ithaca’s Stewart Park on Monday, September 7th. The theme of the Picnic was International Working-Class Solidarity. Incredible music was provided 86er’s and Richie Stearns & Friends, Proletariat Punk, Old Time.

Celebrating local wins is GREAT,  but in these times, the attacks on the working class getting involved in organizing their workplaces and community is what needs to be done if we are to win a better world for us all.
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Every year, a highlight is the awards through which the Tompkins County Workers’ Center recognize the best and worst among us.

Mother Jones Award:
Award background/history: The Mother Jones award is named in honor of Mary Harris “Mother” Jones, who was a fearless organizer in some of the most important labor struggles of the late nineteenth century, from the fight for the eight-hour day to campaigns against child labor.

This year’s Mother Jones Award was given to Cayuga United-CWA, for their union election won with overwhelming support, their commitment to union solidarity, and for their fight for a fair contract. Over 900 signatures on a TCWC petition, as well as MANY phone calls and emails to CMC CEO, Rob Lawlis, that was created by TCWC.

Joe Hill Award:
Award background/history: This next award is named after Joseph Hillstrom, better known as Joe Hill, a labor activist with the International Workers of the World who wrote hundreds of songs celebrating the heroism of labor and the power of collective action and traveled across the American west in the early twentieth century, supporting numerous labor struggles. 

This year’s Awardee was given to Cornell Grad Students United, for their commitment to cross union solidarity, and fighting for broader working class issues like immigration, solidarity with Palestine, and free speech. They are currently building a fight to make Cornell pay its fair share to Ithaca which is an issue deeply felt by most residents in the city.

Dolores Huerta Award:
Award background/history: Huerta, one of the founders of the United Farm Workers, a militant activist for labor justice, and a community organizer who understood the power of alliance and solidarity. 

Premio Dolores Huerta Award to the Family and Children’s Services Union/CWA, for their ongoing fight to extend fair and just workplace protections through unionization at the Agency.

Friend of Labor Award went to: Emerson DeMeester, Executive Director of Tompkins County Public Library for having played a constructive role in union negotiations with UAW2300 rather than a combative role.

Lifetime Achievement Award to Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, who since 1990 has graced Ithaca with her energy and skills through union organizing; constantly organizing for racial and economic justice; as well as agitating tirelessly for a Living Wage in Tompkins County. Much thanks to Assemblymember Anna Kelles for taking this incredible video of Leslyn on Facebook as she receives the Award!