Labor Day political payback?

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - A handful of local elected officials may be missing from Monday's Labor Day parade after an invite was missed.

Some are calling it political payback.

The frosty relations between municipal unions and Toledo city officials is certainly no secret. It started several months ago when union leaders felt they were strong-armed into pension and health care givebacks.

"This is the first time in my recollection municipal government hasn't participated in a Labor Day parade, but I understand the reasons for it," said Councilman D. Michael Collins.

The annual Labor Day parade through downtown is a big deal in a union town like Toledo. An average of 5,000-10,000 show up for the 30-year tradition displaying an alphabet soup of organized labor.

The parade's also popular with politicians, but several on city council are skipping it after getting snubbed. Mayor Michael Bell was only invited late Thursday afternoon after FOX Toledo News started asking questions.

"I think this being the first year that they're not invited shows just how bad things have gotten under this administration," said Dan Wagner, Toledo Police Patrolman's Association union president.

A parade organizer said he called area county Republican and Democratic party chairmen, and it was up to them to let their elected officials and candidates know.

He apparently fixed what he says was an oversight with the Mayor Bell, an independent, after FOX Toledo News called for comment.

Someone recently ripped out a George Sarantou political placard from a sea of signs outside Teamsters headquarters. Union officials say it wasn't them, but it happened right after council rejected a big raise for Teamsters trash workers.

Councilman Sarantou is running for Lucas County commissioner.

Some union leaders are not surprised by such a snub.

"I just think it's a stance that says 'Listen, if you're going to treat us and disrespect us, then why show you a sign of respect by inviting you to somethjing that's important and dear to us?,'" Wagner said.

Councilman Joe McNamara normally marches with firefighters, Lindsay Webb with Teamsters. Both are Democrats but will be out of town.

Republican Councilmen Sarantou and Tom Waniewski don't even have the parade on their campaign schedules. Councilman Collins, an Independent and former TPPA president, is skipping the parade on purpose.

"No, I would not feel comfortable going for the reasons they have not extended the invitation," Councilman Collins said.

There's clearly some bad blood boiling, and it will certainly be simmering beyond Labor Day because they may be asked to give back even more during upcoming budget talks.