On Thursday May 1, thousands will gather at rallies and events across the country to celebrate May Day, recognized around the world as International Workers Day, traditionally a day of marches and actions for labor solidarity in all corners of the globe. 

This year we collectively rise up against the Trump administration’s war on working people, as it attempts to defund our schools, privatize public services, attack unions, and target immigrant families with fear and violence.

Rallies are planned in over 80 locations throughout the state, including at all UC campuses, where those assembled will support striking AFSCME 3299 and UPTE-CWA 9119 workers. 

CFT local unions across the state are turning out for the rallies and actions. Please follow up with your local union or find an event near you on the May Day Strong website.

Ready to host your own May Day event?

Are you looking to host your own May Day event this year? Check out this toolkit from our national partners at MayDayStrong.org. This resource has everything you need to organize your own May Day event. 

Have you already started planning a May Day event this year? Make sure you register it with our national partners at MayDayStrong.org.

Other resources: 

Social Media Toolkit
Talking Points
Sample Press Release
National Partner Toolkit

More on May Day

May 1 is a worldwide celebration of workers with ancient origins. In the United States, it’s also May Day, and it started with labor’s fight for the eight-hour working day. 

At its national convention in Chicago, held in 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions (which later became the American Federation of Labor), proclaimed that “eight hours shall constitute a legal day’s labor from and after May 1, 1886.” 

Watch this 30 minute video for an in-depth history of May Day, and read this brief history of May Day from IWW.