LIVE MAY DAY Protests in NYC

May Day originated from workers' struggles for an 8-hour workday, exemplified by the 1800s Haymarket Massacre. Today, it serves as a global day of action for workers' rights, with organizers calling for a general strike (no work, school, or shopping) to protest economic inequality and a 'rigged capitalist system.'

May Day began in the 19th century because organized workers labor unions, 300,000 workers in the 1800s went on strike and that became the Haymarket Massacre where people died, but they went on strike for the 8-hour work day. The organizers for May Day strong are asking Americans not to work, not to go to school, and not to shop.

Union members, like Local 79 journeyman Tom Walker and laborer Shawana, attest to unions providing livable wages, good health benefits, and job stability in an era of rising costs and attacks on workers. Shawana detailed how her union job lifted her from poverty, allowing her to put her children through college.

unionized work is the best work. It has good health benefits, livable wages, and it's just suitable for New Yorkers knowing that the cost of living is going up. Being that I'm a unionized construction worker, like I make a livable wage. So even though it goes up a little bit, I can fluctuate with it. Before I joined the union, I struggled to survive as a single mom... Through joining the Local 79 Apprentice Program, I'm proof that a union job can uplift families. Now I'm putting my kids through college.

Starbucks baristas, organized under Starbucks Workers United, are fighting for dignity, fair wages (starting at or below $16/hour in 43 states), and adequate staffing. The company was cited for 500,000 alleged violations of NYC's Fair Workweek Law, resulting in a $40 million settlement. Baristas also face inaccessible benefits due to insufficient hours and changes to healthcare plans disproportionately affecting trans workers.

Our union started in 2021 and we have only continued to grow with 700 stores coming together fighting for dignity and respect in the workplace. The company settled with baristas in the city for $40 million due to 500,000 alleged violations of New York City's Fair Workweek Law. It was the largest labor settlement in the city's history. Changes to the company's health care plan has resulted in trans baristas having to pay more out of pocket for procedures that were once covered by the company.

Speakers emphasized that labor and immigrant rights are inseparable, framing ICE actions as 'terror.' The 'New York for All' bill is advocated to prevent state and local law enforcement from assisting ICE. Immigrant workers are highlighted as foundational to NYC's industries, with a recent victory in the City Council passing the Street Vendor Reform Package.

labor and immigrants' rights are intertwined. Right now, across this country, immigrant workers are under attack... This is not safety. THIS IS TERROR. New York for all would require that state and local law enforcement resources are not used to help ICE. This January, City Council passed the Street Vendor Package... An important win for all our hardworking street vendors. Specifically, for our immigrant street vendors.

NYU professor Elizabeth Fay described how universities are increasingly run like corporations, leading to administrative bloat, casualization of faculty, and suppression of free speech. Her union, Contract Faculty United (UAW), won a historic first contract after a 9-year organizing effort and strike, securing high salaries, career support, and academic freedom, demonstrating that faculty, staff, and students *are* the university.

Higher education is under attack, but the assault didn't start with Trump. It started when the people charged with safeguarding the educational mission of our universities decided to run them like corporations. My union, Contract Faculty United, represents 1,000 full-time non-tenure track professors. And we just won a historic first contract after 9 years of organizing... We won the highest salaries nationwide... real job security that gives us academic freedom.