[TheMercenary]

Some political candidates like to take part in community parades. But some wonder if Labor Day parades in our area will be influenced by a decision in Wausau made by union organizers.

The Wausau group has said elected Republican supporters of Governor Walker's changes to collective bargaining will not be allowed in their parade.

Labor Day is a national holiday in honor of working people. And Fond du Lac's Labor Council plans to honor all working people at its Labor Day parade Monday.

“It's still a parade. It's not a political statement; it's not a partisan event,” said Mary Kunde, council secretary.

Kunde says she doesn't support Republicans who voted against collective bargaining, but she says that doesn't mean they should be banned from the parade. She says she disagrees with those in Wausau who want to exclude Republican politicians. But others say Wausau has the right idea.

“Either you're going to be with us or you're gonna be against us and obviously the vast, vast majority of the Republicans in the house and in the senate were against working families this year,” said Fox Valley Area Labor Council President Mark Westphal.

Westphal says if any Republicans who supported stripping collective bargaining rights wanted to come to the Neenah-Menasha Labor Day parade it puts on, he would consider banning them.

“It's time that we take a firm stand and recognize who our friends are and who our enemies are,” said Westphal.

Republican Representative Dean Kaufert is planning to participate in Neenah-Menasha's Labor Day parade, but he opposed Governor Walker's stance on collective bargaining. Still, he disagrees with what's happening in Wausau, and hopes it won't happen here.

“I probably wouldn't go, if they're gonna do that which I hope would never. There's gotta be an open dialogue,” said Kaufert. “What I see happening in Wausau, I think it's kind of ridiculous.”

But even with a difference in opinion, come Monday in Fond du Lac and Neenah-Menasha, all workers will be welcome in the parades

http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/...parade-dispute