*foot notes

Monday is Labor Day.

An estimated 25,000 workers from 53 unions rallied for the then-radical idea of an eight-hour workday at the first Labor Day celebration in America, Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. President Grover Cleveland, up for reelection, signed a bill to make Labor Day a national holiday in 1894. Celebrated the first Monday in September in the United States and Canada, Labor Day is observed May 1 in Europe and elsewhere.

* Today, union membership makes up less than 15% of the total American work force, down from a 1950s high of nearly 50%. Now, Labor Day is less a time for politics and more a time for barbecues. According to the National Cattlemen’s Assn., Americans will consume an estimated 52 million pounds of beef on Labor Day, making it the second-largest beef consumption day of the year after Memorial Day. This compares with the roughly 43 million pounds of beef Americans consume on an average day.

* Truly in the spirit of the day, the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council and the Valley Labor Political Education Council will hold their 12th annual Interfaith Labor Day Service and family-style barbecue Monday at 5:30 p.m. at Northridge United Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Blvd. Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) will be the featured speaker. (818) 718-6460, Ext. 3007.

* Major league baseball will have labor peace through next season. The players union announced this week it was exercising its option to extend its collective bargaining agreement through Oct. 31, 2001. The average salary of a major league ballplayer has risen from $1,119,981 in 1996 to $1,988,034 on opening day this year.

* Labor Day is also the last chance for summer travel. An increased number of travelers is expected to use the FlyAway Bus Terminal, 7610 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, to get to Los Angeles International Airport. Officials say the parking lot at the FlyAway could fill to capacity early, so call (818) 994-5554 for recorded parking information.