GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L. — Note: The original version of this story was published Aug 31
Ron Smith never makes plans to leave Grand Falls-Windsor on Labour Day Weekend.
For many in this province, the early-September long weekend is reserved for one more trip to the country before summer turns into fall. And if it isn't a visit to the cabin or trailer, they make arrangements to travel out of town.
Not Smith, who has something important to do on the first Monday of September,
The 72-year-old from Grand Falls-Windsor is heavily involved with the annual Labour Day Parade and has been marching in it for the majority of his life.
“I went to work in the mill in 1966 and I’ve marched in every parade since,” said Smith. “I grew up with it as a youngster.”
This year is different, however.
Smith will still be in Grand Falls-Windsor, but he won’t be walking in the parade; the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation.
"I went to work in the mill in 1966 and I’ve marched in every parade since. I grew up with it as a youngster.” — Ron Smith
Instead, he will be a part of a Labour Day ceremony being held in the parking lot of the Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society building, beginning 10:30 this morning.
This year’s parade was to be the 100th Labour Day Parade in Grand Falls-Windsor and serve as a provincial celebration of the labour movement.
Provincial Federation of Labour organizing the event
The modified event is being organized by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour will be streamed online on the federation's Facebook page. In a normal year, the Central Newfoundland Labour Council would be responsible for the organization of the parade.
“We are more than happy to collaborate with (the Central council),” said Federation of Labour president Mary Shortall.
The labour movement has deep ties to Grand Falls-Windsor.
A year after the former mill opened in 1909, the Papermakers Union at the mill was organized. A couple of years later, the Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Union was formed. Shortly thereafter, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Association of Machinists, Office Workers Union and Shopworkers Union were all created.
In the 1930s, papermaker Alphonse Gregory Duggan successfully formed the local Trade and Labour council. He was also involved in the formation of the Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Union.
“It is really significant that we have (the event) there,” said Shortall.
A parade every year since 1920, except one
Over the years, it has been a celebration of workers and the work unions do in the community. Since 1920, a parade has run every year, save for 1962 when nothing was organized as a protest over labour laws of the day.
Each year, there would be a theme to the parade, and most every business in town, as well as social groups, would take part in the event and all that came with it.
Smith remembers one parade themed after the lost railway, while another followed a theme based on the dangers of using chemical sprays in forests.
“It was all about the union is a part of your community,” he said. “Unions took a leadership role in the community. It was absolutely huge.”
While the start point and route would change depending the year, the parade always ended at the athletic grounds, which is now Church Road Park. The crowds would enjoy afternoon baseball, speeches and other forms of entertainment.
This year's message: economic recovery should be 'worker-centric'
This year, the heads of various unions from across the province will be in attendance, as well municipal, provincial and federal officials.
They’ll celebrate the workers and their contributions to economies, as well as the work of unions in the workplace.
“Our main message is we’ve always had strong economies because of workers. Historically, workers are the ones who create the economy,” said Shortall. “Our message to government will be when you’re looking at economic recovery this year, we are expecting a workers-centric economic recovery. Worker’s issues will be talked about and dealt with.”
Smith, who will be speaking at this morning's gathering, had trouble hiding his feelings about not having a physical parade.
“It is more than disappointing,” he said. “For all of the years for that cursed virus to show up, it had to be this year.”
Nicholas Mercer is a local journalism initiative reporter covering central Newfoundland for SaltWire Network.
