A Return to the Old Ways: Movement for a May 1 General Strike is Snowballing

Millions of union workers are already organizing for a general strike on May 1, 2028. Could American workers get there sooner?

THE BEACON IS LIT: UAW Calls For a General Strike on the Historical Date of May 1

• United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain has called for a general strike on May 1, 2028.
• The UAW has over 400,000 active members and almost 600,000 retired members. Many retired members are still active in the union.
• The UAW conducted a 46-day rolling strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis in Fall 2023.
• UAW cleverly aligned all contracts won in that strike to expire at midnight on April 30, 2028.
• May 1, or “May Day”, is an official holiday in almost every single country but the USA. This was an intentional effort by Congress to prevent strike action and international worker solidarity.
• On May 1, 2024, the UAW publicized the contract end dates and issued a call for a general strike on May Day 2028.

”It’s time we reclaimed May Day for the working class.”
-Shawn Fain

AMERICAN UNIONS ANSWER THE CALL

• Unions representing millions of members are already pledging support for the May 1, 2028 Strike Date.
• American Federation of Teachers, 1.8 million members strong, echoed the call in an official resolution. “The AFT will commit to unwaveringly supporting affiliates and the broader labor movement in bargaining fair contracts, and in anticipated or active labor disputes.” The Chicago Teachers Union affiliate had led the charge.
• Labor Councils affiliated with the AFL-CIO have begun endorsing the May 1 concept and are organizing across at least six states already.
• The American Postal Workers Union, 200,000 workers strong, passed a resolution in support in July 2024 and called for contract expiration alignments around May 1.
• It appears that every major American union is discussing the May 1, 2028 date for contract expiration alignments.

”If we are serious about building enough collective power to win universal healthcare and the right to retire with dignity, then we need to spend the next four years getting prepared.”

GRASSROOTS WORKERS JOIN IN: Calling 2028 Too Far Off, Organizers Sparking Decentralized May 1 Mass Action

• American workers are more disgruntled by the day. Soaring inflation, declining living standards, and an ever-widening wealth inequality are nearing some tipping point.
• The Trump Administration seeks dismantling of all official channels for labor greivances. This is a strategic error by the oligarchy, as it shepherds Americans to fight for their rights to healthcare, wages, and housing using non-official channels. American workers are now limited only by their own creativity.
• A number of protests have already occurred during the first month of the Trump Presidency, but they have largely been oppositional and reactive.
• Grassroots labor is now organizing new movements that proactively articulate demands that proactively improve the material lives and well-being of the American working class.

Want to Support a General Strike on May?

GET INFORMED: Why May 1? Because May 1 is the REAL Labor Day

GET PREPARED: Preparing For A General Strike

GET ORGANIZED: Find others to organize with locally

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
MAY 1 - the REAL LABOR DAY

Sources:

• thenation.com/article/activism/general-strike-2028-unions-labor-movement/
• inthesetimes.com/article/may-day-2028-general-strike-working-class
• aft.org/resolution/supporting-uaws-call-align-contract-expirations-may-1
• 21cpw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-Resolutions-For-Posting-July-2024.pdf