Friends,

As we get ready to celebrate Labor Day, I hope you safely enjoy time with family, picnics, parades and, of course, the start of football season. 

As a proud union member of CWA Local 4302 for nearly 29 years, I’ve always tried to make this weekend about honoring my sisters and brothers who continue the fight to keep labor strong and relevant. As my own career nears its end, I find myself thinking more and more about the next generation of workers.

Labor unions face serious challenges today. From political attacks to pressure from management, and even from misinformation within our own ranks. Well-funded union busting efforts are just as damaging to our movement as they are to our democracy.

That’s why, as Democrats, we must continue electing leaders who will fight for unions and working people. Few have done more for labor than Sherrod Brown, who has stood shoulder to shoulder with us throughout his career. The same is true of our Congresswoman, Emilia Sykes, who has proven her commitment both on the picket lines and in the halls of government. And we must keep Ohio free from anti-union “right to work” laws.

So, let’s recommit ourselves to supporting labor by voting for pro-worker candidates or choosing union-made products whenever we can.

Together, with our brothers and sisters in labor, we will continue to move Summit County forward.

Mark Derrig, 

Summit County Democratic Party Chair