LEWISTON — The head of the Western Maine Labor Council on Monday urged workers, businesses and elected officials to work together to focus on jobs.

“Labor Day is for the working class Americans and the businesses to get together and get the jobs back in the forefront where it should be,” council President Don Bilodeau told several hundred people at the council’s eighth annual Labor Day Community Barbecue.

It’s time to “stop this bickering in Washington,” he said. “The working people need guidance. They need representation, and it’s time for us to all work together as one to fix the problems.”

The Western Maine Labor Council represents more than 4,000 members from over 20 unions in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties.

The free public event celebrated working people and their accomplishments. Several speakers made appeals for raising wages and addressing issues of inequality affecting workers.

“This day was created for labor to work for the government and with the government and with businesses. It’s time to get back to that way of life,” Bilodeau said.

Similar themes were voiced by U.S. Congressman Mike Michaud, D-Maine, a candidate for governor; Shanna Bellows, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate; and state Sen. Emily Cain, candidate for Michaud’s seat in Congress.

“I’m glad to be back here,” Michaud said. “I’ve always enjoyed going to these events. You get to see working people from all around the state. It’s really good to get together and reflect on what the labor movement has done.”

There were numerous expressions of support for the unionized Maine workers of FairPoint Communications in their contentious contract negotiations.

Peter Keefe, treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2327, Augusta, said the core issue is the possibility that jobs of Maine workers for FairPoint might be sent overseas. He said it is important that Maine ratepayers have Maine people on the jobs that affect them.

Other speakers included Jeanne Paquette, commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor, and Laura Fortman, Maine’s former labor commissioner. Paquette said it was appropriate for the two of them to take part in Monday’s program because the principal purpose is “to celebrate labor.”

The event took place on the grounds of the IBEW Local 567 offices on Goddard Road. People of all ages enjoyed music, food and fellowship and had an opportunity to speak with political candidates and community leaders.

They dined on hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken and corn and sat at tables under large white canopies. While the adults enjoyed music and listened to the speeches, children were entertained by a magician who handed out balloon animals.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling and title of former Department of Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman.