Regional Industry & News

Idlewild Park hosts fifth annual LaborFest, highlighting trade careers

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - For the fifth consecutive year, Idlewild Park became the epicenter of Reno’s labor movement on Monday as community members gathered for LaborFest. Organizers and attendees say the event is a critical reminder of the holiday’s true origins, focusing on workers’ rights, fair wages, and career opportunities.

This year’s event offered a mix of career discovery and advocacy, drawing attendees of all ages—including 93-year-old former USAID union member Jeannette Isaacs.

“We need the younger generation coming up to replace people like myself,” Isaacs said. “We need active people, and as you get older, you’re not interested in being active, really.”

Hands-on careers without college debt

A central draw of Labor Fest is the showcase of apprenticeship programs, allowing young people to explore high-paying careers in the trades without the burden of traditional college debt.

“A lot of them are jobs in the construction trade,” said Wendy Colborne of the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council. “So we got electricians, plumbers and pipefitters, sheet metal workers, operating engineers... Basically any job in construction, if you can think of it, it’s out here.”

For some, the initial draw to the trades was simple. When asked what attracted him, HVAC and sheet metal worker Aron Cordova had a direct answer: “The money.”

Cordova shared that he was able to start in the industry at around $40 an hour. “I like the opportunity to grow,” he added.

“Unions have always protected the workers”

For historical context, attendee Nick Lee reminded festival-goers that labor protections are hard-won, pointing to the dangerous conditions faced by the immigrant laborers who built the nation’s infrastructure.

“When the Chinese were imported to complete the Transcontinental Railroad, they were dying like leaps and bounds because the working conditions were bad,” Lee said. “So unions have always protected the workers.”

Unlikely Representation: Brothel workers stand Up for employee status

While traditional trades like HVAC and construction are staples of Labor Fest, this year’s event featured a group that many might not expect to see represented: regulated brothel workers.

The United Brothel Workers formed in response to a new independent contractor agreement that would allow brothels to use women’s likenesses without permission, even after they no longer worked there.

“We have been misclassified as independent contractors for basically the entirety of the regulated brothel industry,” said Jupiter Jetson. “All of the ways in which we do our work are really more lent to employee status.”

Jetson expressed pride in seeing that fighting spirit on full display at a packed Idlewild Park on Labor Day.

“I think it’s really fabulous that we’re putting the labor back in Labor Day,” Jetson said. “Most people think of a barbecue. It’s really beautiful that we’re bringing workers’ rights and a fight for fair wages and fair standards back into the holiday.”