UNIONS used yesterday’s Labour Day celebration on the Sunshine Coast to counter claims their relevance had been eroded.

Perfect autumn weather drew a crowd of several hundred to Cotton Tree Park for the annual event.

But as Queensland marks the traditional Labour Day public holiday today, questions continue to be asked about the relevance of unionism in modern-day Australia.

About 10 unions were represented yesterday, including the Queensland Teachers’ Union, Queensland Nurses’ Union and United Voice.

Robyn Sudgen, Sunshine Coast branch president of the Queensland Council of Unions, said unionism remained key to workers’ rights.

While acknowledging some images of unions in the media were counter-productive to the movement, Ms Sudgen said most people respected unions for what they had achieved for workers.

Ms Sudgen’s view was shared by teacher Bart Jones, who attended yesterday’s event with his wife, Kylie, and two children, Madison, 7, and Barlee, 3.

Mr Jones, of Maroochydore, said it was important to continue to support unions.

“Everyone needs better rights at work and to have their unions fighting for them,” he said.

But Alex Smith, at Cotton Tree with his family, said unions had become less relevant now there were so many small business owners.

“I always feel the labour movement these days supports those who don’t want to strive for things themselves,” he said.