Print edition: 
For Linda Ligons, Labor Day won't be a welcome break — it'll be yet another day off work.
Ligons, 60, worked her last day at Hawker Beechcraft in January. Since then, she's looked for work, but nothing has panned out.
She worked at the plant 21 years, she said Saturday at a picnic at the Machinists Hall on South Meridian, wearing a bright yellow T-shirt asking "Is it ethical to sell your people out and your country?"
Ligons spoke about her experience being laid off as part of the annual Labor Day picnic sponsored by the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation.
Some potential employers, she said, are scared she'll go back to Hawker if a job there becomes available. She suspects her age also has hurt her.
"I haven't been able to find anything," she said.
Like her union brethren, Ligons called for companies and lawmakers to work to keep jobs in America.
The back of her T-shirt read "Made in the air capital of Chihuahua," referring to the state in northern Mexico.
Jake Lowen, political director for the labor federation, said the picnic is held each Labor Day "for working Kansans and labor to get together and celebrate the proud history of the labor movement and develop a community around that shared history."
The unemployment rate in Kansas was 6.8 percent in July, up from 6.7 percent in June and down from 7.3 percent a year ago, according to the Kansas Department of Labor.
America, Lowen said, "wants to work."
The celebration Saturday, he said, "combines podium-thumping and a chance for people to enjoy their weekend."
People came out with their families for free food and music and to play bingo. Information for laid-off workers was available, and tables were blanketed with fliers urging leaders to get the country back to work.
The federation recognized two workers, Roger Norton of the Service Employees International Union, and Brent Lewis of United Teachers of Wichita.
Norton works for the city and was instrumental in river cleanup efforts, Lowen said.
Lewis, Lowen said, illustrates that people want to work. Lewis was a Spanish teacher at North High School. When his job was eliminated, he began teaching financial literacy at the school, retooling his skill set.
Switching gears helped save his job, Lewis said.
Lowen said there are other Kansans willing to do whatever it takes to keep their jobs.
Fitttingly, Norton couldn't attend Saturday's picnic because he was working, Lowen said.
