FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Coalition of More Than One Million New Jersey Union Members and Community Groups Rally Support for May Day Demonstrations at Newark Press Conference

Newark, NJ — A broad coalition of labor unions and community organizations gathered Wednesday morning, April 22, 2026, at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark to announce and build momentum for upcoming May Day protests across New Jersey.

The press conference, hosted by numerous labor and advocacy groups, called for mass participation in demonstrations scheduled for May 1, 2026. Speakers emphasized the urgent need to address the economic challenges facing working people and voiced strong opposition to federal policies they say harm workers both domestically and abroad.

“The purpose of today’s press conference is to urge participation in the May Day protests and to stand against policies that adversely affect working people,” said Lawrence Hamm, Chairman of the People’s Organization for Progress.

“We are under attack, the middle class, the poor, working families, and those who have been marginalized.  We need to make this the biggest May Day ever,” said Charles Hall, President of RWDSU Local 108, UFCW.

Leaders from major unions and organizations spoke about the economic pressures confronting workers, including rising costs of housing, healthcare, and basic necessities.

Ana Maria Hill, Vice President and New Jersey State Director of 32BJ SEIU, highlighted the struggles facing working families: “Our members are working hard every day just to stay afloat, yet too many are still struggling to afford basic needs. May Day is a powerful reminder that when workers stand together, we can fight back and build an economy that works for everyone.”

Other speakers included Steve Beatty, President of the New Jersey Education Association; Jennifer S. Higgins, President of the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey; and representatives from several labor and community organizations.

Thomas Giblin, President of Essex-West Hudson Labor Council, added “Newark has a long-standing tradition as a labor friendly community.  It is important that labor activists and those who believe in unions support the May 1^st rallies.  Workers across the state are being challenged every day.  Employers want more for less including wages and fridge benefits.”

Speakers underscored the importance of solidarity across movements. Hall emphasized labor unity and coalition-building, stating that “working families and the middle class are under attack,” and called for stronger alliances with marginalized communities. He also reaffirmed labor’s support for immigrant workers, describing them as essential to the nation’s economy.

NJEA President Steve Beatty spoke to the challenges facing educators, noting that financial stress on teachers impacts their ability to focus on students. “Our nearly 200,000 members go to work every day determined to help their students learn, grow and thrive.  When they also have to worry about whether they can afford food, housing and health care for their own families, it distracts from their critical mission. We are proud to stand in strong solidity with other unions and organizations that fight for workers’ rights. I’m a high school social studies teacher and a union president, so I know from both history and personal experience that when labor is strong and united, we make America better for everyone. May Day is a great time to remind everyone what working people have done for this country and we can accomplish together when we truly live up to our motto of Solidarity Forever!”

Eddie Donnelly, President of the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual and Benevolent Association (FMBA) added, “On May Day, we stand shoulder to shoulder not just as First responders, but as workers who believe in dignity, fair wages, and safe conditions for all. Every alarm we answer is a reminder that our strength comes from solidarity—because when workers are protected and respected, entire communities are stronger and safer.  On behalf of our over 6,000 members, we are proud to stand with our brothers and sisters and Labor”

Participating unions and community organizations included:

AFL-CIO New Jersey

AFT (American Federation of Teachers - New Jersey)

NJEA (New Jersey Education Association)

IUPAT DC 21 (Painters and Allied Trades)

Amazon Labor Union (ALU)

RWDSU Local 108, UFCW, AFL-CIO (Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union)

FMBA (New Jersey Fire and Mutual Benevolent Association)

AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees)

Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1031

ILA (International Longshoremen’s Association), Local 1233

LIUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America Eastern Region)

AFSCME

IUOE Local 68 (Operating Engineers)

Essex-West Hudson Labor Council, AFL-CIO

SEIU 32BJ

SEIU 1199

People’s Organization for Progress (POP)

NAACP Newark

Food and Water Watch

Empower NJ

Climate Revolution Action Network

Ironbound Community Corporation

The Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance Planning Committee

The coalition announced that its May Day rally and march will take place on Friday, May 1, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Lincoln Statue on Springfield Avenue in Newark, followed by a march to the federal building on Broad Street.  Additional May Day actions of solidarity can be found on our coalition website at www.maydaystrong.org.

Organizers stated that the demonstrations on May 1^st aim to highlight the needs of working people, the poor, and the middle class, while aligning with May Day actions taking place nationwide and globally.

Among the coalition’s key demands are:

• Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour
• Expanding workers’ rights and union protections
• Ending racial discrimination in hiring and promotion
• Establishing a living wage and paid sick leave
• Universal child care and Medicare for All
• Free college and student debt relief
• A federal jobs program to eliminate unemployment

Additional demands include increased public education funding, restoration of social program cuts, and broader economic reforms aimed at reducing inequality.  While some May Day actions call for a general strike or boycott, events across the state of New Jersey will vary in format and focus. Union members and allies are encouraged to participate in all May Day activities throughout New Jersey.