With Labor Day approaching, many around Athens are making long weekend plans. But others are looking to honor the holiday, which serves to celebrate worker’s rights, in a different way.

“It’s a good thing,” said Economic Justice Coalition Director Linda Lloyd. “We want people to celebrate workers. People need to work, especially during these times.”

The EJC will hold events Monday, beginning at 6 p.m., for Labor Day. A free dinner and celebratory march around Athens City Hall will kick off the “5th Annual Celebration of Workers’ Rights.”

Several guest speakers – including Patrick Scott of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, and Employment Attorney Janet Hill – will attend the event. At 7:30 p.m. the EJC will show the documentary film “Made in LA,” which follows three Latina immigrants working in Los Angeles garment sweatshops, at Cine.

There will be an interactive discussion following the film, and the night will culminate in live music at the 40-Watt Club.

“The overall purpose is to spread workers’ rights,” said co-chair of the EJC Ray MacNair. “Workers have rights that need to be followed.”

MacNair said this year’s events will focus on the need for people to find work. He said even when the economy turns around, employment will be the last to recover.

The holiday began more than 100 years ago during the Industrial Revolution, when the average American worked 12-hour days, every day of the week, just to make ends meet.

In June 1894, a mass railway boycott in Chicago led to President Grover Cleveland sending troops to the city. The boycott failed, but the strike showed the public the ongoing issues dealing with worker’s rights.

Congress declared in 1894 the first Monday in September would be Labor Day – a holiday for the workingman.

But now, many University students plan to leave town and enjoy the long weekend, instead of advocating workers’ rights.

“I plan on spending time with my family and friends,” said Valerie Greenfield, a junior from Forsyth. “Mom usually cooks and we just hang out.”

And with so many students leaving town for various events, traffic is expected to be heavy and caution while driving is advised.

The Georgia State Patrol and the Crash Reporting Unit at the Georgia Department of Transportation estimate about 2,000 wrecks, 900 injuries and 20 deaths will occur during this weekend’s 78-hour holiday period.