COVINGTON -- On a day meant to bring American workers and their families together, a split remains between two groups of MeadWestvaco workers on union representation.

Members of United Steelworkers Local 8-675 and Covington Paperworkers Union Local 675 remain at odds over which union will represent more than 900 workers at the mill.

The split could be felt at the 63rd annual Labor Day parade and celebration, hosted by USW. Members of CPU declined to help organize and attend, said Bobby Harrison, president of the local USW.

"We invited them to help," he said. "We're a little disappointed at that."

Both sides are waiting for a ruling from administrative law Judge Eric Fine as to whether a vote taken in March to oust USW and bring in CPU was handled properly.

CPU won that vote, but USW representatives contend that unfair labor practices and intimidation of employees accompanied it and took the issue to court, said Mike Yoffee, organizing director for USW International.

That decision could take up to two years, Harrison said.

Until then, the judge urged the two sides to work together and compromise.

The two sides have met many times, Harrison said, but no middle ground has been reached. Harrison and CPU President Roy Hall spoke less than a week ago, and Harrison said he hopes to meet again.

"We're still willing to meet, but we haven't had a reply," Harrison said.

Hall could not be reached for comment.

USW remains the recognized union at the plant and continues to represent all union members, even those who have sided with CPU.

"We represent all employees," Harrison said. "If they have a problem, we're there to help."

Inside the mill, the atmosphere remains tense.

"It's split, but both sides see we have to do something to get back together," said Robyn Forbes, who works on a paper machine in the mill.

"In the beginning, it was hostile, but over time things have mellowed out," said Harrison, who has friends on both sides of the debate. "We're starting to get back to where we speak to each other."

Dallas McCallister, who recently retired from the mill, believes the only solution is for USW to accept its loss and turn things over to CPU.

"Red, white and blue. That's democracy," McCallister said, twirling an American flag in his hand. "The majority voted. It shouldn't be in court. They lost; shouldn't they leave?"

McCallister's son, Dan McCallister, has been a mechanic at the mill for 13 years and decided to support CPU because it has a more local focus, compared with the international USW organization.

Dan McCallister decided to stay home Monday, while his family enjoyed the celebration.

The parade and the party that followed were USW's attempt at solidarity.

"We're just trying to put this thing to rest and come together as one union," Harrison said.

He estimated 4,000 people came out for the event, the largest crowd they've ever had.

More than 70 floats took to the streets of Covington for the parade, and USW's first female vice president at large, Carol Landry, traveled from British Columbia to participate in the festivities.

"We're here to celebrate Labor Day," she said. "We are working to unite all of the workers here."

As much a kickoff to the political season as a celebration of American workers, candidates also took the stage to state their case to potential voters.

U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, and his opponent, Sam Rasoul, were present, as was Virginia Attorney General candidate John Brownlee.

Former Gov. Mark Warner, who is running for the U.S. Senate, and gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, participated in the parade before flying to Norfolk for another event.