Unions cancel Pittsburgh's annual Labor Day Parade

The coronavirus pandemic has torpedoed Pittsburgh’s annual Labor Day Parade.

Officials on Friday announced that the parade held for decades in Downtown Pittsburgh would be replaced with volunteer community service programs conducted by union members throughout Labor Day weekend and a major blood drive and food giveaway on Labor Day.

“We decided to forgo the traditional Labor Day Parade, knowing with upwards of 200,000 people it would be impossible for us to maintain social distancing,” said Darrin Kelly, president of the Allegheny/Fayette Central Labor Council. “It was a tough decision, but the right decision.”

Instead of gathering in Pittsburgh on Sept. 7, union members will spend the weekend staffing a series of activities, including cleaning local parks and trails, hosting virtual reading programs on labor history and providing meals and outreach programs for veterans.

On Labor Day, organizations will host a blood drive and food giveaway in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Kelly said the time and location would be announced in coming weeks.

“In honor of our front-line workers and our whole labor union, we will be hosting activities with our partners to take care of our communities during this difficult time,” he said.