FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 1, 2025
Contact: Leah Leszczynski, lleszczynski@miaflcio.org, 989.316.6044
Michigan’s Labor Movement Honors May Day
Hails “Putting Workers First” Bills Package
LANSING, MI – Today, on May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, the Michigan AFL-CIO hails the labor movement as the beating heart of progress and honors those who have made it possible.
“Society runs on solidarity, it’s plain and simple. We know this to be true on May Day, and every day,” said Ron BIEBER, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “As devastating as Trump’s unprecedented attacks on the working class are, we know working people and Michigan’s labor movement are up for the fight, as we always have been. Solidarity forever.”
“This May Day, there is a ‘Mayday’. Trump’s assault on the working class stings even more on International Workers’ Day,” said John Cakmakci, president of UFCW Local 951. “But no matter who is in the White House, or what we are up against, we are committed to a better world, and together, we are in this fight for the long haul.”
Given the unprecedented attack on workers’ rights, workers need an unprecedented response of solidarity. Accordingly, the Michigan AFL-CIO applauds the Putting Workers First legislative package introduced by Michigan House Democrats today.
“May Day is when our movement stands up and fights for good jobs, healthcare, and wages we can raise our families on. In a time of unprecedented attacks on unions, this package of bills prioritizes working people,” said Brandice Mullen, vice president of SEIU Michigan. “Preemption laws take away the freedom of local governments to support their constituents. When workers in Michigan’s cities fight for reform, their local elected officials shouldn’t have to ask the state for permission before they do anything of consequence. It’s anti-democratic and anti-American. I applaud Rep. Andrews for introducing the repeal of PA 105 of 2015, which will restore local democracy and give local elected officials the ability to fight for good jobs in their cities.”
“If passed, this legislation would expand worker freedom, strengthen unions, assist federal workers, and improve hiring practices across the state of Michigan — all things that help the working people of Michigan,” said Ryan Sebolt, director of government affairs for the Michigan AFL-CIO. “The protections in this bill are a long time coming. Nonetheless, they are needed now more than ever. I look forward to working with state legislators to make sure they vote on the side of workers on these bills.”
The Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan’s largest labor organization, is a federation representing forty different labor organizations, eighteen different central labor councils, and eight constituency groups representing over 1 million union members and their families. Learn more about the AFL-CIO’s response to the Trump administration’s assault on workers here: https://deptofpeoplewhowork.org/.
###
