May Day Commemoration Calls Attention to Workers’ Rights and Economic Justice

by Jon Melegrito  |  May 01, 2012

It’s May Day and working people and supporters all over the world are today recognizing the contributions public service employees make to economic justice. They’re honoring the day by raising public awareness about attacks on workers’ rights by corporate-backed politicians.

Also known as International Workers’ Day – a day when many organized workers and unions march in unity – this year’s May Day observances are expected to draw the participation of millions across the globe to call attention to social and economic inequality and corporate greed.

Here in the U.S., organizers of the Occupy movement are planning marches and rallies from coast to coast to show the 1 percent what life without the 99 % would look like. From New York to Los Angeles, Occupy protesters are calling for a general strike in a renewed effort to breathe fresh life into the movement that sparked a wave of nationwide protest against economic injustice last year.

“The message is the same everywhere,” says AFL-CIO Pres. Richard Trumka.

“Workers’ rights should be universal and every person – no matter what nationality, ethnicity or gender— must have equal rights and the opportunity to achieve a better life. But increasingly today we see a group of special interests—the 1 percent—who seek to divide and weaken the collective power of working people. They are trying to limit the freedom of working people to vote or to join together in a union at the workplace or to live without fear of harassment or discrimination – whatever their national origin. Special interests are not only attacking the values we share; they are playing the politics of division … America’s working families will continue to stand together in their fight to reestablish fairness and opportunity so everyone can have access to their own American dream.”