International Workers' Day: Mass protests across the US demand labor rights reforms

About 500 labor groups across the United States organized a broad economic boycott under the slogan 'no school, no work, no shopping' to mark International Workers' Day on May 1. The events were part of an initiative called 'May Day Strong.'

The protests were inspired by economic boycotts following intensified immigration enforcement campaigns in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in January. The scope of the events was wide, but they generally aimed to oppose government policies that organizers say prioritize the ultra-wealthy over the working class.

'May Day Strong' put forward a series of demands, including 'tax the rich' and the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — a move that came as Republican lawmakers voted on a budget bill allocating $70 billion to the agency under the Department of Homeland Security. The initiative also called for ending wars and 'expanding democracy.'

Brendan Griffith, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, stated: 'Since Inauguration Day, corporate billionaires and the Project 2025 agenda have pushed attacks on our rights and freedoms, including targeting workers based on how they look, the language they speak, or the work they do, while undermining our First Amendment rights and our freedom to associate.'

Labor protections shift under Trump

The wave of demands for increased worker protections follows a series of moves over the past year by President Donald Trump's administration, which rolled back many protections, especially for federal employees. Earlier this year, the administration reclassified thousands of federal employees as 'at-will' employees, making it harder to appeal firings.

Trump also cut staffing at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In March 2025, the Supreme Court declined to intervene in the firings. The staffing cuts left the NLRB operating at a limited capacity. Trump also rescinded policies that protected workers from unsafe AI development that disadvantages them. A report from Goldman Sachs earlier this month showed that AI eliminated an average of 16,000 jobs per month over the past year.

Protections against workplace discrimination were also narrowed, including weakening enforcement of affirmative action standards and suppressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the private sector. Retail conglomerate Target was among the companies that canceled DEI programs, leading to widespread boycotts in 2025. The White House argued that these initiatives prioritized individuals based on race and/or gender.

Safety standards at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were also cut, including an executive order ending the implementation of new safety standards, such as mandatory heat safety rules for workers. In April, the Trump administration proposed cutting $47 million from the agency's budget for fiscal year 2027. However, cuts to OSHA are not new. Over the past 35 years, OSHA's budget has been cut by 10%, its staff by 26%, and its inspection force by 16%, according to the AFL-CIO's 'Death on the Job' report.

On wages, while President Biden managed to raise the minimum wage for federal contract workers, Trump reversed that in 2025. The federal minimum wage stands at $7.25 per hour and has not changed since 2009.

Ongoing events today

The protests varied in size and scope. In North Carolina, educators called for increased funding for public schools. In New Orleans, nurses demanded higher wages and fairer contracts. In New York, protests called on e-commerce giant Amazon to sever its contract with ICE.

On Friday afternoon, hundreds of workers representing 70 groups gathered at Washington Square Park in New York. The crowd carried signs calling for taxing billionaires and demanding a 'living wage.' New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was expected to attend.

Guadalupe Sosa, a street vendor representing a street vendors' union, told Al Jazeera: 'Like my parents, thousands of other immigrants migrated here. And we are the workers who wake up every morning and make sure this city runs. We are the workers who have been forgotten for years.'

Jennifer Abruzzo, former general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, said: 'There are more than 3,000 actions planned in over 40 cities, where unions, allies, community organizations and other advocates are joining hands with workers across the country to protest policies, actions and tactics aimed at undermining working families.'

History of International Workers' Day

The history of May Day dates back to the late 19th century when workers in the United States fought for the eight-hour workday. Tensions escalated when a labor protest turned violent in 1886 in Haymarket Square, Chicago. The U.S. does not recognize May 1 as an official holiday, instead marking Labor Day in September as the official commemoration of the U.S. labor movement.