On Sept. 7, UFCW International Vice President and Region 1 Director Fallon Ager-Norman served as the chair of New York City’s Labor Day Parade.
Ager-Norman was asked to lead the parade by the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, which organized the event. Over 85,000 people attended the event that centered around the theme “All Workers, Many Voices, One Fight.” Senator Charles Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and other local officials marched along the parade route on Fifth Avenue from 44th to 64th Street. Members of UFCW Locals 342, 888 and 1500, as well as RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum and members of RWDSU/UFCW Locals 1-S, 3, 338, 670 and 1102, also marched in the parade.
Other unions in attendance included the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council; Communication Workers of America Local 1180; New York City Stagehands; Millwrights and Machinery Erectors Local 740; Elevator Constructors Local 1; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3; and the NewsGuild. John J. Murphy of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters served as the Grand Marshal.
“As a member of the UFCW, the largest private sector union in the United States representing 1.2 million workers, I’m honored to be the Parade Chair for this year’s New York City Labor Day Parade,” said Ager-Norman. “America’s workers are realizing the power they have when they stand together for a voice in the workplace, and my union is leading the fight in helping workers in a range of industries, including retail, meatpacking, health care, and cannabis, to achieve a better future for themselves and their families. Today, we march in honor of these workers and reinforce our commitment to building a better and stronger labor movement.”