Public Employee Press

Thousands march on International Workers' Day
A new and fair contract, an end to deportations and a higher tax on the wealthy were some of the demands of the thousands of workers who marched on CIty Hall May 1 during International Workers' Day.

By ALFREDO ALVARADO

Thousands of union and immigrant activists gathered in Union Square May 1 and marched down Broadway to City Hall, where they rallied and demanded immigration reforms and an end to deportations, fair contracts for city workers, a higher minimum wage and higher taxes on the wealthy.

The rally on May Day - celebrated as International Workers Day since the 1880s - was organized by the Alliance for Labor Rights, Immigrant Rights and Jobs for All, a broad coalition of community activists and more than two dozen unions, including District Council 37, the city Central Labor Council and the state AFL-CIO.

Leading the enthusiastic DC 37 contingent at the late afternoon rally was Associate Director Oliver Gray. "This great day serves to remind everyone of the great sacrifices that working people and our labor movement made to build our great nation and city," he said.

"This day also reminds everyone that we are the ones who fought for and won reforms like the eight-hour work day, the minimum wage and Social Security and pension benefits - victories that have become foundations of our society," added Gray.

DC 37 Treasurer and Local 1407 President Maf Misbah Uddin led a contingent of members and local presidents - including Local 154's Juan Fernandez, Local 436's Judith Arroyo, Local 1359's Dennis Ifill and Local 1930's Valentin Colon - who marched from DC 37 headquarters to City Hall Park. There they were joined by marchers from SSEU Local 371 and the DC 37 Retirees Association.

"We are retired from our jobs, but we're not retired from fighting for our rights," said retiree activist Jacob Azeke.

Local 372 President Santos Crespo Jr. led a substantial group of school employees from his local and was invited to address the throng of activists from the podium.

"If you're working eight hours a day, it's because of a union. If you're earning overtime pay, it's because of a union," said Crespo. "Unions are the lifesaver for working people throughout this country, and that's something that we must always remember and always fight to maintain."

New York City Comptroller Scott Springer, Public Advocate Letitia James and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito were among the elected officials who joined the union activists at the May 1 rally. All three were elected in November with the support of DC 37 and most New York City unions, marking a shift toward more progressive leadership in city government.

"May Day is big because it speaks to our aspirations for our city and our country," said Springer.

Mark-Viverito promised that "New York City will continue to be at the forefront in the fight for better wages and working conditions."

"You represent the middle class in this city," Letitia James told the demonstrators. "You will be respected and treated with dignity because the working people of this city have earned it."