People took time Monday to relax and try to enjoy the long holiday weekend but some out barbecuing say they're not forgetting what the day is all about.

Brats, friends and nice weather helped make this Labor Day picnic a success.

"We have this celebration every year to congratulate ourselves and our brothers and sisters on another year," says Jack Connall who is the President of the Greater West Central Labor Council.

He says the area hasn't been hit as hard by the down economy but says there are still challenges.

"We have public employees that are taking furloughs and that's hard on those families we have to be careful with jobs and we still have to encourage good jobs in our area," says Connall.

He says the Labor Council has put on this Labor Day Picnic for about the last 25 years. He says it's a great chance for people to get together and enjoy the long weekend.

People out enjoying their Labor Day say the weather held out for them but they say they're not forgetting what the day is all about.

"It's a great time to have an extra day, wish I could have the whole week off but I have to go to work tomorrow," says one boater out on Lake Altoona.

"You bring out friends and family and the word spreads if your a past union employee or present come on down and get the connections, it’s a nice little network here," says Dave Truslow.

Nationally political experts say the unemployment rate could have a big impact on November's elections. They say 11-million Americans are out of work this Labor Day. Democrats are fighting to maintain control against Republicans who blame them for joblessness in America.

Here in the Chippewa Valley politicians say people are frustrated with the pace of the recovery.

"it's not an anger thing, it's agitation, they're bothered by what they see as a recovery that is coming but it's slower than people would like," says Democratic State Senator Pat Kreitlow.

On Friday unemployment crept up to 9.6 percent. Monday President Obama was in Milwaukee at another Labor Day event trying to help address the problems the American workforce is facing.