The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
AFL-CIO HONORS CHIEF CEL RIVERA
Labor Day celebration includes family party with food, activities
The 24th annual Lorain County Organized Labor Family Celebration took place, Sept. 1 at Black River Landing at 421 Black River Lane in Lorain, and featured entertainment and games for the whole family.
The event, which aims to support and honor the working folks in the county, was highlighted by an award presented to Lorain Police Chief Cel Rivera, who is retiring at the end of the year, for 25 years of supporting Lorain County organized labor as police chief.
“It’s a small way of saying thank you to a great man and supporter of ours,” said Harry Williamson Jr., president of Lorain County AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations). “We will be presenting him with a plaque. He has always been there anytime we have needed assistance. Anytime we have had events... you just pick up the phone and call him [Rivera], so this is a thank you for 25 years of support.
“With the chief here... everyone’s meeting someone very, very important. There will be nobody... that can do what this man has done.”
"The idea is for it to be something that is relaxed and fun for the whole family. It honors the workers who make this country what it is."
— Harry Williamson Jr., president of Lorain County AFL-CIO
Rivera, who did not know he would be receiving the award, talked about his time as an industrial worker.
“It has been my honor and my privilege to serve this community for 49 years (in the police department),” he said. “I’m here because my father was recruited from Puerto Rico in 1948 to work at the steel plant. When I came back from Nam (Vietnam), I worked a short time at Ford, couldn’t take it, and I went to the steel plant.”
Rivera then spoke on the importance of unions.
“I was the president of the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police),” he said. “It (FOP) is important to me because I was here when we didn’t have any training, we didn’t have any equipment, we didn’t make any money. You know what helped us: Our collective bargaining agreement that is still in place today. it came from UAW 425 (now local 2000). I came home (after visiting El Paso) to read an article about teachers not getting paid. The fight goes on, and I’m retired, I got a lot of time, I’ll be there to help fight.”
Williamson said the event is meant to be affordable.
“Entry to the event is free for folks,” he said. “The idea is for it to be something that is relaxed and fun for the whole family. It honors the workers who make this country what it is. We do that by making it affordable with 50 cent hot dogs, beverages, overall affordable food, games and activities for both kids and adults and live entertainment. We will also be giving away thousands of dollars in prizes.”
Williamson took time to mention political affiliations associated with the groups he represents.
“Unions have become synonymous with the democratic party,” he said. “Just because you are a Democrat, doesn’t mean you support organized labor. My feeling is you need to support us not just when you are here, but you need to support us year-round. I represent over 7,000 members in the county and 20,000 retirees. They deserve the support from politicians year-round. We put on this event for the hardworking men and women in Lorain County.”
Ciara Fulks, of Lorain, attended the event with her 3-year-old son, Damian Negron.
“It’s a great event,” she said. “It’s very familyfriendly, and it’s a great event for the community.”
Karen Suzuki, of Elyria, visited the event with her 8-year-old son, Mike.
“It’s really great to be here, my son has really enjoyed himself,” she said. “Everyone is really friendly and there is a lot of stuff to do.”
“It (FOP) is important to me because I was here when we didn’t have any training, we didn’t have any equipment, we didn’t make any money. You know what helped us: Our collective bargaining agreement that is still in place today... The fight goes on, and I’m retired, I got a lot of time, I’ll be there to help fight.” — Lorain Police Chief Cel Rivera