Celebration of Labor
- PostEagle
- September 6, 2013
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- Featured
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LABOR DAY is a time for working families across America to celebrate our work, our history, and our communities. It’s also the time we focus on the future and the path we want to take.
The history and the significance of the Labor Movement in Essex County and New Jersey was celebrated at “A CELEBRATION OF LABOR”, an interfaith Labor Day observance, on Friday, September 6th.
In photo on right: (L-R) Gerald Newsome, Co-Chair (IFPTE Local 195), William F. Mullins (IFPTE Local 194), Peter A. Gowing (2013 Grand Marshal), and Thomas P. Giblin, President Essex-West Hudson Labor Council.
Sponsored by the Essex-West Hudson Labor Council, AFL-CIO, the event began with a Pre-Parade Program at Newark City Hall and concluded with a March along Broad Street to Washington Park. Bands led a parade of union members and supporters marching proudly behind the banners of their locals.
Thomas P. Giblin, President of the Essex-West Hudson Labor Council, AFL-CIO, said: This Labor Day we recognize the women and men who do the work that keeps America strong. That’s pretty much all of us, whether we’re employed or looking for work. And no matter what we do, our work makes the work of others possible. Teachers depend on Electricians – Who count on Steelworkers – Who need Nurses and Engineers – Who rely on Researchers and Bus Drivers and Flight Attendants – Who depend on Taxi and Child Care Workers – Who need Auto Workers and Traffic Cops and Firefighters, and so on it goes.
Work connects us all. And together, we are better. Here’s what else connects us: Our vision of an America that honors and respects work and the people who do it. Not some of us. All of us.
This year 2013 we’re calling on America to join us in recognizing and rewarding the people who work. The only way to reduce the widening gap between the affluent and the poorest people in our nation is by creating quality jobs that provide a just compensation that enables workers to live in dignity and respect.
“The continuing economic crisis has left most working families, including many Union members, frustrated and anxious. Millions are without work or are underemployed, and nearly all Americans have been touched in some way by the job crisis. That’s why this Labor Day couldn’t be more important and why the Union movement must ensure working people mobilize to choose the path forward instead of turning back.”
The 2013 Celebration of Labor March was led by Grand Marshal, Peter A. Gowing, Business Manager, Carpenters Local Union 253.
Peter A. Gowing is the Business Manager of Carpenters Local 253 located in Hackensack, NJ. Pete was first initiated into the Carpenters Local Union 1342 on September 4, 1986. Pete has been a 27 year member with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America. From 2001 through 2011, he served Local Union 1342 in various positions from Financial Secretary, Recording Secretary, Vice President, and eventually became President in 2011. Pete also served on the Recreation Committee, Apprentice Committee and the Political Education Committee for Local Union 1342.
Pete has been a Delegate to the New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters since 2011. In 2006, he was hired by the NJRCC as an Organizer/Council Representative and in 2008 was appointed to the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters Executive Board.
In 2011, the newly formed Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters named him Vice President and Business Manager of Local Union 253. Pete was elected Vice President of Local Union 253 and a Delegate to the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters in 2012. At that time, the Council also appointed Pete to the Board of Trustees for the George H. Laufenberg Scholarship Fund.
Peter Gowing has been married to his wife Michele (DeGiorgio) for 13 years and are the proud parents of three lovely daughters. They reside in Randolph, NJ.
The Essex-West Hudson Labor Council AFL-CIO takes great pride in honoring Peter Gowing as its 2013 Grand Marshal for the 22nd Annual Celebration of Labor/March. Peter Gowing has dedicated his life to advance the interest of working men and women and is most deserving of this recognition by his peers.
Co-Chairs of the event were Noel J. Christmas, UWA Local 601 and Gerald Newsome, IFPTE Local 195.