As seen in the Unity: Summer 2025 – President’s Report. See past copies of the Unity here.

When I lace up my sneakers, grab a banner and hit the pavement for Philadelphia’s Labor Day parade every September, it’s one of my favorite traditions. Not just because I get to spend some time with my union brothers and sisters, but because of what it stands for.

It’s the day we all recognize we have the power to come together and define a better future. No worker should have to struggle alone, and change is possible when we are united.

We celebrate the power of working people on Labor Day, and we keep in mind those workers who don’t have the protection of a union contract. I personally think about the many people that lost their lives to fight for our right to organize and bargain collectively.  Still today in 2025, many workers are too afraid to stand up for the promise of a better life. They may have faced threats from irresponsible employers or they have been led to believe they don’t deserve something more.

On this day, we show the world that we will not be swayed by dangerous rhetoric that is designed to drive us apart. We’ve come a long way since the first Labor Day was celebrated more than 140 years ago, but the fight is far from over.

That’s why we take time on this day to look back on the accomplishments of the labor movement and reaffirm our commitment to action.

Keep the dream alive

We must continue to build a better society, one that prioritizes fairness and dignity. We stand together on Labor Day to keep the union dream alive for workers of future generations, because they are the ones who will lead the way.

I’ve had the honor to march alongside my daughters in the parade. Seeing them witness that we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves inspires me every year. I truly love seeing young people in the Labor Day parade, because the union affects them as much as anyone. As members with decades in the union, we can tell them about what the union means to us and what it has meant for our families in terms of financial security and union benefits that have been negotiated through hard work and dedication.

But they already feel it — parents have a little less stress at home because they have support at work, and more pride in what they do for a living because they’re respected a little more on the job. It’s all on display when we get together for the parade without saying a word.

Daniel Ross, Jr.
President, UFCW Local 152