"We take every holiday we can", said Justin Wickham.
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"Any chance for a picnic," said Mala Desai.
That was a common sentiment at the Labour Day Festival and Union Picnic in Eddison Park in Phillip.
There were activists who said they were there to celebrate union victories, particularly the achievement of an eight hour working day.
And there were also a few who said unions were on the way down and that decline was not to be mourned.
And there were many who went for a picnic with a purpose - it was about fun but also remembering labour and unions.
"Labour Day is important as a day with the family," Mr Wickham said. "It's an extra day for workers to have with their families."
A tougher view came from Hannah Walker, a student activist with the United Services Union. "I'm here to celebrate the eight hour working day and all the achievements which the union movement has got for workers."
She didn't feel the annual day off was becoming just another public holiday. "Everybody knows what Labour Day is. I think we are moving towards new issues like domestic violence leave and making sure that the minimum wage is enough to support families."
There was another view.
Unions were unnecessary, thought Jennifer Larcombe who described herself as a consultant.
"Unions haven't really modernised," she said. The law and economics protected workers these days, she felt.
But what about food deliverers on bikes and those workers in the "gig economy" without job security or a career path?
"These days, it's probably more of an employees' market so employers need to be competitive if they want to keep good staff."
We're here to support unions and to enjoy the day with our granddaughter.
- Steve Brown
"But it's a great day out," she concluded as she moved off with her son, Fletcher.
There was lots to head off to: a bar, musicians, baked potatoes, burgers, Chinese pancakes, sack races, face painting and all the paraphernalia of a good day out.
Some were there in solidarity with the union movement as well as the fun. It wasn't a choice between politics and gentle partying.
"We're here to support unions and to enjoy the day with our granddaughter," said Steve Brown.
Sitting beside him on a hay bale, Ruth Brown added, "The rights of workers have been fought for so hard but we are moving to a state where the rights of workers have been lost and that's disrespectful to the people who fought for them."
Labour Day looks like being the sunniest of the week at a maximum of 24 with little chance of rain.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a drop in the temperature in Canberra for Tuesday and Wednesday.