With the Workers Memorial Gazebo falling into disrepair at Zeidler Union Square Park in Milwaukee, the Wisconsin labor movement, together with community business partners, took action and spearheaded a Workers Memorial Gazebo Restoration Project. The Gazebo, which opened in 1995, has served as the launching ground for Labor Day marches and Workers Memorial Day commemoration events for decades.
The Milwaukee Area Labor Council and the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO have a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding with Milwaukee County to be the stewards and keepers of the Gazebo. Zeidler Union Square came into being in 1995 when the Milwaukee County Board renamed the park to recognize the contributions of the labor movement in Milwaukee County's history. Through the concerted efforts of labor partners who donated time, talent, and funds, a lasting monument to working people was created. In 1995, the Milwaukee County Labor Council and the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO constructed a new Gazebo/Bandstand within the park. This facility, which contains features that symbolize the heart of the labor movement, replaced an aging bandstand.
MALC President Pam Fendt spearheaded the effort and brought together different unions and union contractors, together with a generous grant from WE Energies to restore the Gazebo.
“Restoring the Gazebo was a lot of hard work, but we came together to get the job done,” said Pam Fendt, MALC President. “We appreciate the donations that came in and all the volunteers who helped out. We are proud to be the stewards of the Wisconsin Workers Memorial Gazebo, a living monument and memorial that means so much to so many in our community.”
The Workers Memorial Gazebo and parkwide fence tell the story and the accomplishments of the labor movement. The Gazebo is decorated with salvaged gears and tools of the workplace. A large clock edifice symbolizes the time spent at work as well as the fight for the 8-hour workday. The Gazebo, an informational bus shelter, and an educational display with a powerful chain-link installation declaring “an injury to one is an injury to all,” “equal pay for equal work,” “workers of the world unite,” and other popular labor slogans complete the park. The memorial is designed to pay respect to workers who have faced dangers and hazards on their job, as well as the struggles to overcome these hazards, thus the emphasis on Wisconsin labor history.
Russell Wagner, a member of Painters Local 781 from Menomonee Falls, was putting the finishing touches on the clock face of the Gazebo.
“The restoration was well overdue,” explained Wagner. “We must recognize the history of what this memorial stands for, what it stands for the trades and for all who labor. We gather here on Labor Day in celebration and we gather here on Workers Memorial Day in commemoration and to pay our respects to our brothers and sisters who never made it home from work. This is a great way to use our skills as painters and give back.”
Together, the labor movement partnered with community business partners to take the Gazebo from rust and shabbiness to a high-quality shine.
John, who was helping to paint the Gazebo on the final day of restoration repairs explained that, “this is a shrine to all workers, past, present and future. I am happy to be a part of the restoration and honored and proud to do my part to restore the memorial to its true glory.”
The Workers Memorial Gazebo is a central pillar of the labor movement, past and present, in Wisconsin. Each Labor Day, thousands gather to march with friends, family and loved ones in the Labor Day parade which begins at the Workers Memorial Gazebo. Every Workers Memorial Day, we use the Workers Memorial Gazebo to honor fallen workers who have been killed on the job. The Workers Memorial Gazebo continues to educate and introduce future generations to the struggles and the many successes of the labor movement.
Tom Coyne, President of Painters Local 781 and President of the Waukesha Central Labor Council was at Zeidler Square Union Park every day during the Workers Memorial Restoration project.
“This Gazebo is a major part of the heart of the labor movement and serves the entire community too,” said Coyne. “Being a painter, I never like to see anything that’s not painted. Together, with help from Wisconsin union members who volunteered their time, unions who donated funds, community partners who donated funds and supplies, we were able to restore the Gazebo to its true integrity.”
Volunteers emphasized that many community members and area workers would walk by and thank them for restoring the Workers Memorial Gazebo.
The Workers Memorial Gazebo Restoration Project at Zeidler Union Square Park was completed the Wisconsin union way, on time and under budget.
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