The Alternative Press

HALEDON, NJ – The 20^th Annual Labor Day Parade, co-sponsored by the American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark and the Borough of Haledon, is scheduled for Sun., Sept. 4. Step-off will take place at 1:30 PM at the Botto House in Haledon. Normally, the parade finishes at the Great Falls Historic District in the City of Paterson. But because of the flooding, this year the parade will not go into Paterson and simply will end back at the Botto House.

This year’s Labor Day Parade will be lead by Grand Marshal Allen Byron, Vice President, Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, CLC Region II and Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer, OPEIU Local 32 in Union , New Jersey .  As a supervising computer operator at the Newark Housing Authority (NHA), Mr. Byron served as a full-time union representative and chief shop steward with Local 32.

In 2006, Byron became Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer of the Local.  He was also appointed vice president of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.  “Allen has been a dedicated union leader for many years and, his life’s mission has been to better the lives of working families in New Jersey ,” said OPEIU President Michael Goodwin.

All community organizations, unions, businesses, cultural groups, and individuals interested in joining this historic march can contact the Museum at (973) 595-7953 or by e-mail at labormuseum@aol.com.  A Commemorative Journal will record the names of participants and all those who make donations to defray the cost of the parade.  Parade sponsors who donate $100 can have their names recorded on a Commemorative Mug.  Contributions of $200 will enable a donor to have a listing on the Labor Day Parade T-shirt.

It was on June 28, 1894 that President Grover Cleveland, a native of Caldwell, signed the bill that made Labor Day a legal national holiday. In that same year, on Monday, September 3, 1894, the first official holiday was celebrated and every first Monday of September thereafter.

The Botto House National Landmark, home of the American Labor Museum , is located at 83 Norwood Street in Haledon , NJ .  It was the meeting place for over 20,000 silk mill workers during the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike.  The Museum offers a free lending library, restored period rooms, changing exhibits, Museum Store, Old World Gardens , educational programs and special events.  The Museum’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9AM-5PM.  Tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday from 1-4 PM or by appointment.