In a show of strength, 50,000 men, women and children as well as over 400 labor organizations participated in this year's 127th annual New York City Labor Day Parade on September 12th. The event clearly demonstrated the influence of labor in the city. The parade Grand Marshal was Executive Director of District Council 37 Lillian Roberts who walked the entire parade route with Central Labor Council President Jack Ahern. New York Building & Construction Trades of Greater New York President Gary La Barbera served as this year's Parade Chairman. As every year, key legislators joined the procession including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City Comptroller William Thompson, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and a cadre of public officials.