GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - On this Labor Day many families are gathered for annual cookouts and celebrations.

However, there are several local groups making sure the original meaning of this holiday is not lost.

When it comes to labor Wisconsin has nearly a quarter million fewer jobs than it needs.

The news comes in new report from the UW Madison Center on Wisconsin Strategy.

It is statistics like that, that make politics come up around the picnic table at the annual Labor Day Family Picnic at Bay Beach.

Event organizers say Wisconsin's labor force had a rough year.

"I think we have a lot of work ahead of us to try and get back to organized labor, the labor movement and for working families. It is not only about unions it is about people who work hard that deserve a decent earning" says Jim Ridderbush with The Greater Green Bay Labor Council.

According to picnic volunteer Kerri Smits "We do need some family wage sustaining jobs to help the younger generation and the middle class".

Some taxpayers, like Richard Parins, see relief on the way. "Just driving down the streets when you see hiring on a sign it can't be all that bad. But people may not be able to find what they are looking for".

"I have a job so I am grateful to have a job. I work hard and I pray that everyone else has the opportunity to get a job" says Christopher Martens who brought his four kids to the Labor Day Picnic.

With the nation's unemployment rate at 8.3 percent labor will be a major factor on the fall campaign trail.

"I want people who will promote small businesses. They are the lifeblood of this country" says Parins.

The new study from UW Madison also shows that wages are a problem.

At least one in five Wisconsin workers was paid less than $10.97 an hour, poverty wages.