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