Labor Day is about making the vision of a better life for working people a reality. It’s about centering workers’ voices as democracy is under attack. It’s a reminder that unions help lift up our communities, strengthen the economy and deepen our democracy.
This year, we brought together residents, elected leaders, organizations, and unionists from across the state to march in unity at the 2025 Boston Labor Day Parade.
Organized along with our union siblings at the Greater Boston Labor Council and the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, we saw unmatched energy among the thousands who joined us. The parade route we marched included a number of historic sites, where we were able to honor the victories as we build upon the movement of today.
We were joined by national labor leaders – International Union of Painters and Allied Trades General Manager Jimmy Williams, Jr. and Association of Flight Attendants International President Sara Nelson. State and federal champions spoke as allies to the cause, including Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Senator Ed Markey, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.
Among the union speakers to kick of the parade march was our very own AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang, who spoke to how vital a strong working class is to a strong democracy and to the theme of “Workers Over Billionaires” highlighting how the income inequality continues to grow due to the growing wealth of billionaires and the ultra rich, while workers wages have not kept up.
She then introduced workers who described the “anchor sites” along the parade route. The first anchor site, on School Street, was the site of America’s first public school. It was organized jointly by AFT MA, MTA and BTU. It highlighted what our unions have fought for–such as funding for schools and lower class sizes–as well as what we continue to fight for today for freedom fairness and security.
The success we saw on Labor Day built on the momentum from the millions of people from across the country who took part in the “No Kings,” “Protect Our Kids,” “Hands Off,” and “Good Trouble” protests and rallies. And we will not allow this momentum to slow.
Members from dozens of our locals were in attendance! Check out some photos and a great video of Boston President Berg and President Tang marching with Governor Healey.
We also joined members of the Lawrence Teachers Union and the Merrimack Valley Labor Council at the 41st annual Bread and Roses Festival in Lawrence, which celebrates the important role labor unions play in the community while commemorating the pivotal position in history the City of Lawrence played in our nation’s labor movement. Remembering and commemorating the rich history of labor fights and wins is particularly important in this moment.
Labor Day is not just a holiday to honor workers. It’s a call to action to demand the dignity, affordability and opportunity that all workers deserve and to build something better for the next generation.
Along with countless events across the country, we were able to show that together, we are fighting to take our country back!