Fight Back News is circulating the following May 23 statement from the World Federation of Trade Unions.

Minneapolis, MN – Over 500 registered nurses from Allina Hospitals across Minnesota joined together and picketed outside of Allina Corporate Headquarters on Chicago Avenue and Lake Street in Minneapolis, May 19. The nurses have been in a fight with Allina Health, with whom they are bargaining for a new contract.

Washington, D.C. – Two of the largest and most influential labor unions in the U.S. have announced plans to substantially consolidate their work. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) are actively considering a joint resolution that would build strategic collaboration between the two unions, up to and including a potential merger.

Houston, TX – Over 100 people marched in Houston to celebrate May Day, despite bad weather. They had signs with slogans such as “Workers and oppressed people of the world, unite,” and “Stop the attacks on undocumented people.” Many carried red flags. They chanted “Black, brown, Asian, white, all the workers must unite,” and “The people, united, will never be defeated.”

Salt Lake City, UT – On May 1, 100 people gathered at the Salt Lake City and County Building to celebrate, table and rally for International Workers Day. The Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) hosted the event, joined by Students for a Democratic Society, Utah Against Police Brutality, Utah Anti-war Committee, Workers World Party, and Socialist Alternative.

Chicago, IL – 1000 people marched in Chicago, May 1, from Union Park to the Haymarket Memorial, and then into downtown Chicago to Trump Towers. The front banners read “Stop the deportations!” “Stop the hate! Stop Trump!” “Yes to DAPA/DACA!” “Yes to legalization!” and “Yes to workers’ rights!”DAPA and DACA refer to President Obama’s executive orders for deferred action – Deferred Action for Parental Accountability, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

New York, NY – On May 1, workers, immigrants and community activists gathered at Union Square Park to celebrate International Workers Day. Despite the cold and rain, over 300 people listened to speeches, chanted and then marched throughout lower Manhattan. The action was headed by the May 1st Coalition.

Demands Legalization for all, dump Trump, stop police killings of Chicano youth

Los Angeles, CA – A militant march and rally was held on International Workers Day, May 1 that brought out the Boyle Heights community by the hundreds. Raising the demands of Legalization for all, dump Trump, and stop police killings of Chicanos, the protest was organized by Centro Community Service Organization (Centro CSO).

Minneapolis, MN – Hundreds of people marched April 29 in Minneapolis to commemorate International Workers Day and continue the struggle for immigrant and workers’ rights. The annual march started at Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue and marched two miles to Hennepin County Government Plaza in downtown Minneapolis. The march was initiated by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and was endorsed by more than 40 unions, immigrant rights and social justice organizations, including both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Regional Labor Federations.

Thousands of workers from many unions marched in San Salvador, El Salvador on International Workers Day, May 1, 2016.

March will oppose Trump's agenda; put forward working people’s agenda

Minneapolis, MN – On Friday April 29, at 4:30 p.m., immigrant rights activists, union members, students and others will gather at the intersection of Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis to march downtown for immigrant and workers’ rights. They will unite to denounce the racism, xenophobia, immigrant bashing and attacks on worker’s rights that are typified by Donald Trump and other politicians who share his views. In contrast, they will march for a working people’s agenda that unites workers of all races, nationalities, genders and backgrounds to fight for economic and social justice.

Sigue la lucha en el Día Internacional de los trabajadores 2016

El primero de mayo es el Día Internacional de los Trabajadores y nos pertenece a nosotros, los trabajadores y oprimidos que continuamos luchando por una mejor vida. Ya que los ricos, la poderosa clase multimillonaria que controla este país, goza de lujos los 365 días al año, el 1ero de mayo nosotros decimos ¡BASTA! Estamos cansados de ser oprimidos, vilipendiados y defraudados, y no lo vamos a aceptar más.

Stand up, fight back on International Workers Day 2016

May Day is our day. It is International Workers Day. It is a day that is all about us, working and oppressed people, and our fight for a better life. The wealthy, the powerful billionaire class that rules this country, wallow in luxury 365 days a year. On May Day, we say, “Enough!” We are tired of being held down, pushed around and sold out. We cannot accept things the way they are.

Washington DC – Verizon workers with Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 2336 were joined by IBEW union members to rally in downtown Washington, DC today, April 21. Around 100 workers picketed outside a Verizon store near the Metro Center train stop.

Cambridge, MA – Hundreds of Harvard University workers and students rallied in the middle of Harvard Yard on April 14, as dining service workers prepare to enter negotiations for a new union contract. The workers are members of UNITE HERE Local 26, which represents nearly 800 workers on Harvard’s campus. The rally focused on two key issues which are expected to loom large in negotiations with the university administration – health care and year-round work.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following April 14 statement from the World Federation of Trade Unions. WFTU International Solidarity with the workers of Verizon in the USA

New York, NY – Striking Verizon workers were out on picket line in force, April 13 in New York City. They are among the 40,000 workers who walked of the job this morning at 6:00 a.m. It is the largest U.S. strike in recent years.

Minneapolis, MN – Nearly 40,000 Verizon workers from Massachusetts to Virginia will go on strike at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13 if an agreement is not reached by then. The Verizon strike will be by far the largest work stoppage in the country in recent years.

Miami, FL – Nidia Quintero, the leader of Colombia’s largest union of agricultural workers (FENSUAGRO), spoke to a crowd of 50 workers and activists at the South Florida AFL-CIO April 8. She came to speak in support of the peace process between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), taking place in Havana, Cuba. Quintero emphasized that a just and lasting peace is crucial for the Colombian labor movement to grow and flourish.

Chicago, IL – Trade unionists and solidarity activists gathered to hear Nidia Quintero, Secretary General of FENSUAGRO, speak at Chicago’s United Electrical hall on April 6. Quintero leads Colombia’s largest agricultural workers union and was in Chicago to attend the Labor Notes conference. She spoke about Colombian workers peasants and why international support for the peace process in Colombia is important.