Southeastern NC Central Labor Council celebrates inaugural ‘Labor Day Picnic in the Park’

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Labor Day picnic was held at Portia Mills Hines Park on Monday. 

The Southeastern NC Central Labor Council hosted its inaugural Labor Day Picnic in the Park to celebrate the holiday and give workers the opportunity to learn more about their rights.  Union organizers were at the event answering questions about how to unionize and the benefits of having a union job. 

Southeastern NC Central Labor Council President Lynn Shoemaker said the event helps to educate the public, while also paying homage to the origin of the holiday. 

“A lot of people just look at it as another day off, it’s a long weekend, but the labor unions are why we have this, and this is their day.” 

Shoemaker said the event also helps to clear up common misconceptions, like that unions are illegal in North Carolina, which they are not.