The annual Labour Day parade is a tradition in the City of Hamilton, and it kicked off Monday morning on Bay St. North.

The parade made its way through central and downtown Hamilton, before circling back to Bayfront Park for a picnic.

It’s a chance for all workers, including union members, to celebrate their victories and struggles, most notably, the push for higher wages.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath was also in attendance at the parade and sang her praises for the working class in the city.

“When you look around at some of the folks in the park and that were on the march, a lot of these folks have built good lives here in Hamilton, and they did so because they had good wages, they had good benefits, they have pensions, and that comes from bargaining at the bargaining table,” Horwath said.

Similar parades were held across the country.