Working People Unite at Riverbend Fest in Chattanooga!
There was a lot to celebrate for the 30th anniversary of the Riverbend festival in Chattanooga. This year, Riverbend attendees coming from all over the U.S. were greeted by Chattanooga's working families- including members of SEIU Local 205 - who came together to commemorate the spirit of solidarity that has made the Scenic City's working people strong.
Thirteen Chattanooga area unions handed out thousands upon thousands of paddle fans to help Riverbend attendees keep cool in the summer heat. But more important than that were the conversations between union members and the community. At the end of day, the public showed tremendous support for organized labor. People from all walks of life talked to union members about their personal struggles and how the union, through providing family wage jobs, kept their families intact.
Check out what happened at Riverbend!
The event also attracted media attention from the area's news sources. The Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Nooga, the Chattanoogan, Talk Radio 102.3 FM and Chattanooga Organized for Action's website all ran stories on the union's historic show of solidarity.
Participating unions included:
Service Employees International Union Local 205
Hamilton County Educational Association
International Association of Fire Fighters Local 820
Ironworkers Local 704
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 917
International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 673
Mid South Carpenters Regional Council Local 74
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 175
Laborers International Local 846
Southern States Millwright Regional Council Local 1554
Painters and Allied Trades Local 226
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 43
Sheet Metal Workers Local 5
While the labor unions helped festival-goers keep cool in the summer heat, our brothers and sisters in labor achieved something even more important. By coming out with their families and showing solidarity with each other, unions reminded Chattanooga that organized labor is what built the middle class and made America great. Local 205 was honored to be part of this very special event.