Labor Day is a time to celebrate the American worker.

Locally, the community marked the 25th Annual Rochester Labor Day Parade, hosted by the Rochester Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

The parade made its way down East Avenue and featured more than 5,000 workers from 40 different unions. Community activists and political representatives also marched together.

This year's theme was "Walk with the workers who make Rochester run!" Rochester's Labor Day Parade is one of upstate New York's largest annual parades.

Local union members had plenty to say when it comes to earning a living in today's economy.

Debbie Glinski has worked at clothing manufacturer Hickey Freeman for 18 years, a company that nearly closed last year.

"I think we are going much better right now,” said Glinski. “ We are very, very busy there is even some overtime going on and the head guy says things are picking up even more so that's great for us. “We were really, really scared a year ago."

Union workers from Mott's in Williamson said they want to work. They have been on strike for 107 days and counting after Mott’s parent company Dr. Pepper Snapple Group made some proposed changes to their pay and benefits.

It hasn't been easy making ends meet for most of those on strike. Bruce Beal is a label operator at Mott's.

"As long as Dr. Pepper Snapple is willing to go back to the bargaining table we are still ready to make it our go to it time," said Beal.

His co-worker Jeffrey Thomas wants the same thing. He has been packaging applesauce at Mott’s for 13 years.

"We are working America,” said Thomas. “We want to work, we love what we do but at the same time there comes a time when you have to stand up for your principles your values not only for you but for every working and woman in America."

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group said the company is disappointed union members rejected what it called a final offer.

The union representing the Mott's workers is also accepting the U.S. labor secretary's call to keep working to end the 107-day strike.

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis urged both sides to get back to the bargaining table as a guest essayist in a piece that appeared in Saturday's Democrat & Chronicle.

The union's president said Solis was right when she said the best way to resolve this strike is through collective bargaining.

The union said it is now waiting to hear whether or not Dr. Pepper Snapple Group will reject the U.S. secretary of labor's call to resume negotiations.