DETROIT (WWJ) - Thousands of union workers have descended on downtown Detroit in a show of solidarity for the annual Labor Day parade … and WWJ will have live coverage when President Barack Obama speaks after Monday’s  Labor Day parade in Detroit.

These rank-and-file believe Michigan and the economy need help in creating more jobs.

James Pulmer of Operating Engineers Local 324 says the labor movement has been getting the short end of the stick:

“It needs help; it needs a lot of help … this country’s goin’ taken down and people need to stand back up and know what’s happenin’ with ‘em, you know,” said Pulmer.

“We can’t depend on the steel mills and little factories, you need new income coming in here, somehow, … now it’s time to get rolling,” said one union worker during the parade.

Many workers echo the sentiment saying they want President Obama to do something that will help create more jobs for Michigan.

Listen to the President’s speech below.

Read more from CBS News here.