Furthermore, older workers are making up more and more of the union force. The highest union membership rate (15.6 percent) is among workers ages 55-64. For the youngest workers, only 4.2 percent are union members.

“The newer generations don’t know the labor history, and that’s a big problem. They just don’t know the fight that went on to get to where we are,” said LaDonna Henderson, of St. Charles, who was at the curb on Market Street to show support for her husband, a union electrician.

Like many of those lining the parade route, she was both realistic and optimistic about the position of unions today. “We could be doing better. We’ve just got to get unified again.”

Her son, Russell Henderson, a history professor at East Central College in Union, predicted that one way the labor movement will survive in the future is by migrating from its blue-collar tradition to increasingly frustrated white-collar professionals.

“In the future, you’re going to see more teachers and professional workers out here at this parade,” he said. “People are sick and tired of being treated they way they’re being treated. They want a voice at their workplace.”

The parade was the usual mix of cars and floats representing various labor organizations, some marching bands and acts, and a few political floats. This is an usually quiet year politically for Missouri, with auditor being the only statewide office on the ballot and no competitive congressional races.

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