Labor Night At Nats A Grand Slam
Monday, August 1, 2011
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Labor Night At Nats A Grand
Slam: Heat, humidity and another loss by the Washington Nationals didn’t
dampen the spirit of solidarity at Friday night’s annual Labor Night at the
Nats baseball game. Almost 6,000 metro-area union members filled the stands at
Nationals Park for the 5th annual Labor Night at the Nats, winning the Nationals
Spirit Award for Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO President Jos Williams (second from left), Northern Virginia Labor
Federation President Dan Duncan (center) and CSA Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy (second from right) – for the record for
the most group ticket sales. The evening raised almost $10,000 for the Community
Services Agency’s Emergency Assistance Fund, which helps struggling families
in financial crisis. “Tonight is a reflection of the solidarity and generosity
of those in the labor movement,” said Williams. “We all have fun, and at the
end of the day the proceeds go toward helping our fellow union brothers and
sisters in need.” Seven-year-old Ashley Borza – daughter of Ironworkers
Local 5’s Ron Borza Jr. – threw out the first pitch prior to AFSCME staffer
and OPEIU Local 2 member Renee Barnes singing a stirring rendition of the
National Anthem in front of the Fairfax County Professional Firefighters and
Paramedics Association Honor Guard, which presented the colors. Right before
watching the Nats concede four runs in a disastrous first inning, IUOE Local
99’s Sam Redden exchanged the line-up with Nationals Coach Davey Johnson
(right) and Local 99’s Lou Cernak made the “play ball” call. “Thanks so
much to everyone who helped make this night a grand slam!” said
McKirchy.
– report/photos by Adam
Wright