GLDSA and Labor Allies Celebrate May Day 2026

On May 2nd, 2026, GLDSA was joined by members of the Teamsters and the UAW to celebrate International Workers Day (May Day). The purpose of the event was to forge connections on the way to making sure the Greater Lafayette region is strike ready by 2028. Here are some of the remarks delivered by the speakers at that event.

Donovan R. from the GLDSA Labor Working Group:

Friends, comrades, neighbors - welcome to Greater Lafayette DSA's May Day celebration. May day is our reminder that we must press on in this fight between the capitalist (or billionaire) class and us, the working class. 

We meet at a chaotic hour. Wars, poverty, and other crises are a constant barrage. Wealth inequality is being pushed to a level that hasn't been seen before, and Billionaires are openly declaring that they do not need workers anymore without any regard for what that means for us, our families, and our communities. 

Epstein and his associates are calling all of the shots, and this is what we ended up with. While they might fight against each other publicly, they are advancing their shared political and economic interests behind the scenes. I am hesitant to take anything from the Epstein class but this type of class first politics is what we must learn and emulate. Our type of class first politics will be grossly different from theirs. We will fight for a shorter work week, better infrastructure, well funded schools, and healthcare for all. Those that are in power now will try to keep those things away from us. The first trick they will use is to try and divide us, so that they may continue exploiting us. We must not allow this to happen. This is what may day is about. Standing together in solidarity and fighting not as many, but as one. Fighting for something that will benefit both you and the person next to you. To build power in your workplace and in your community to push back on fascist actions and policies.

To my DSA comrades, i would like to remind you of the resolution of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, where an immigrant meatpacking worker is brutalized by the system of capitalism. Only at the end of the story does he find socialism and trade unionism. We must do one better. We must get to people before they are chewed up and spit out by the system.

Brent from the UAW SIA Organizing Committee:

Brothers, sisters, and fellow workers,

Today, on May Day, we stand in a long line of people who refused to accept less than dignity. This day is not just a date on the calendar—it’s a reminder. A reminder that every right we have on the job was fought for. The eight-hour workday. Overtime pay. Safety protections. Weekends. None of it was handed to workers out of generosity. It was demanded, organized, and won—together.

And that word—together—is why we’re here. Because one worker alone can be ignored. But all of us, standing side by side, cannot.

At (SIA) Subaru of Indiana Automotive, we take pride in what we build. Every car that rolls off the line represents skill, precision, and hard work. But let’s be honest—those cars don’t build themselves. It’s us. It’s our hands, our backs, our time, our lives. So the question becomes: if we are essential to the success of this company… why don’t we have an equal voice in how things are run? Why is it that decisions about our schedules, our pay, our safety, and our futures are made without us?

That’s where a union comes in.

A union is not an outside force. It’s not a third party. It’s not some distant organization. A union is simply workers—coming together, standing together, and speaking with one voice.

Unionizing means we don’t have to ask individually and hope to be heard. We negotiate collectively, and we guarantee our seat at the table.

Think about that. Instead of hoping management listens… We make sure they have to.

Now, some people hear the word “union” and feel uncertain. That’s understandable. There’s a lot of misinformation out there. But let’s cut through that. Unionizing does not mean conflict—it means balance. It doesn’t mean shutting down the company—it means strengthening the workforce. And it doesn’t mean losing opportunity—it means protecting it. Because without a union, everything we have can be changed—at any time—without our input. Schedules can shift. Policies can change. Benefits can be reduced. And we’re left reacting.

With a union, we move from reacting… to deciding. That’s the power of collective bargaining.

Now let’s talk about workers’ rights—because that’s at the heart of this. Workers’ rights are human rights. The right to a safe workplace. The right to fair wages. The right to be treated with respect. The right to go home at the end of the day in one piece. These aren’t luxuries. These are basics. 

And yet, without organization, those basics are never guaranteed. We’ve all seen or experienced moments that make us stop and think: “Why is it done this way?” “Why doesn’t anyone speak up?” “Why do we just accept this?”

The answer is simple: because alone, it’s risky. But together? Together, it’s powerful.

Solidarity is what turns fear into action. Solidarity means I don’t stand alone—and neither do you. It means if one of us is treated unfairly, all of us care. It means we don’t compete against each other—we lift each other up. That’s what makes a union strong. Not just contracts. Not just negotiations. People. People who refuse to let each other be ignored.

Now, let’s be real for a moment. Companies often say, “We’re a family.” And we all want to believe that. We spend so much of our lives at work—it should feel supportive, respectful, and fair. But a real family doesn’t silence your voice. A real family doesn’t make decisions about you without including you. A real family doesn’t ask for loyalty without giving it in return. A union doesn’t destroy that idea—it makes it real. It ensures fairness isn’t just a promise—it’s written down, protected, and enforceable. Because good intentions are not enough. We need guarantees. And that’s exactly what unionizing provides.

Now, May Day reminds us of something else: change doesn’t happen overnight.

The people who came before us faced resistance. They were told it couldn’t be done. They were told to be quiet, to be grateful, to not rock the boat. But they organized anyway. They stood together anyway. And because of that, we have what we have today.

The question is: what are we going to leave for the next generation of workers? Are we going to accept things as they are…Or are we going to build something better? Unionizing is not just about today. It’s about tomorrow. It’s about making sure new workers walk into a workplace that respects them from day one. It’s about making sure experience is valued. It’s about making sure hard work is rewarded—not taken for granted. 

And let’s not forget—when workers are stronger, workplaces are better. Lower turnover. Higher morale. Better safety. Stronger communities. This isn’t just good for us—it’s good for everyone.

So today, on May Day, we’re not just talking about unions—we’re talking about power. Not power over others. But power over our own lives. The power to say: “We deserve better.” The power to say: “We want a voice.” The power to say: “We will stand together.” And make no mistake—that power already exists. It exists in every conversation you’ve had with a coworker. Every moment you’ve thought, “This could be better.” Every time you’ve supported someone next to you on the line. That’s solidarity. That’s the foundation of a union. All it takes now… is to build on it.

So I’ll leave you with this:  If not us, then who? If not now, then when? Because nothing changes until we decide it will. Let’s honor the spirit of May Day—not just by remembering the past, but by shaping the future. Let’s stand together. Let’s speak together. Let’s build something that protects all of us.

Solidarity forever.