NYC Labor Movement Rallies and Marches for “Our City, Our Fight, Our Future”
Thousands of union members from across New York City came together in Lower Manhattan on September 8 for the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO’s 2026 Labor Day Rally and March, centered on the theme “Our City, Our Fight, Our Future.”
The program marked the 25th anniversary of September 11, honoring the workers who ran toward danger, helped New York recover and rebuild, and carried the city through the difficult days and years that followed. Rank-and-file union members shared stories about their unions’ experiences on September 11 and in the response, recovery and rebuilding that followed. The gathering also looked ahead to the fights facing working people today and the importance of continuing to stand together for one another and for the city’s future.
“Labor Day is a time to recognize what working people make possible in New York every day, and this year that message has special meaning as we mark 25 years since September 11,” said NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO President Brendan Griffith. “We remember the workers who carried our city through one of its darkest moments and whose courage and sacrifice helped New York recover. Their example reminds us that solidarity is not just something we remember. It is something we owe one another now. That means standing together, protecting working people, and making sure the next generation inherits a city where workers can build a good life and have a real voice in shaping New York’s future.”
The rally took place on Liberty Street between Church Street and Broadway, where AFM Local 802 musicians welcomed the crowd beginning at 4:30PM. Emcee Teesha Foreman of CWA Local 1180 and the Local 802 musicians kept the rally moving with music and chants throughout the program. Father Brian Jordan of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi delivered the invocation, and the FDNY Ceremonial Unit gave a stirring presentation of colors and performance of the National Anthem. More than 5,000 members representing over 50 unions took part in the rally and march.
Following the rally, participants marched north on Church Street, passing the World Trade Center site before turning right on Worth Street and continuing to Foley Square. The march was led by the IBEW Local 3 Sword of Light Band, which paused at the intersection of Church and Fulton Streets to perform “Amazing Grace” in the direction of Ground Zero.
The program featured speakers from the United Firefighters Association, 1199SEIU, Association of Flight Attendants, IATSE Local 52, IBEW Local 3, New York State Nurses Association, SEIU 32BJ, TWU Local 100 and the United Federation of Teachers, including rank-and-file union members who participated in the response to and recovery from September 11.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani also joined the gathering, speaking about the strength of New York’s Labor Movement and the importance of standing with unions and working people. Other officials in attendance included New York State Attorney General Letitia James, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, and New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, along with many other local elected officials and representatives of city and state agencies.
Ahead of the gathering, leaders from across New York City’s Labor Movement spoke about solidarity, remembrance, and the work ahead.
“Working New Yorkers joined together to save lives and rebuild our city 25 years ago. That tragedy could not defeat us because of our unity, and our unity ensures that we are ready to successfully fight the powerful interests aligned against working people today,” said Yvonne Armstrong, President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
“Labor Day celebrates the hardworking women and men who built this country and keep this country moving forward. Twenty five years ago on September 11, hundreds of us from different building trades unions rushed down to the tragic scene and stayed until our job was done, working shoulder to shoulder to overcome a violent attack on our nation’s solidarity. It didn’t break us then. And that same spirit of solidarity will lead us into the future, a better future, for New York’s working men and women,” said Dave Bolger, Business Manager, Mason Tenders District Council, LIUNA.
“This Labor Day is bittersweet. The members of TWU Local 100 are standing proudly with other unions in the spirit of solidarity. Our fight is shared, one we must continue for the sake of labor’s future. At the same time, we remember the horrific attacks of 9/11 and the sacrifices made by thousands of Local 100 members and the other brave workers who responded in the aftermath. The people who rushed to assist in any way they could and would do it again with no hesitation need to be recognized for who they are, the backbone of New York City,” said John V. Chiarello, President, TWU Local 100.
“As we commemorate Labor Day and on this 25th anniversary of September 11th, the New York City labor movement comes together to honor the memories of those we’ve lost, and renew our commitment to protect our members. That includes leading the way in developing smart guardrails around AI to ensure that it is used wisely and in the service of the union workers who make New York City the greatest city in the world,” said Rebecca Damon, SAG-AFTRA Chief Labor Policy Officer and New York Local Executive Director.
“As we gather to celebrate the true meaning of Labor Day, a communal struggle by workers across the country for safe, dignified and just workplaces, let us also honor the lives lost on and after 9/11. Let us honor the solidarity we share as union members who grieved so much loss and still showed up to do the hard work, the sensitive work, the necessary work, for everyone who could not. Let us continue the fight for justice, for free speech, for democracy. After all, our democracy depends on journalism and journalism depends on all of us,” said Susan DeCarava, President of The NewsGuild of NY.
“For over 100 years, Labor Day has symbolized the hopes and dreams of working people and the progress we have made in the workplace, at home for our families, and in the communities we’ve built. Through the process of collective bargaining and further labor actions when necessary, unions and the workers we represent have secured better wages and benefits, equal pay, safer jobs, protections from discrimination and unemployment, and the ability to retire with dignity. This Labor Day is particularly poignant as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11 and we remember those lost in the attack and those lost to 9/11-related illnesses. We thank every union member who has helped rebuild the World Trade Center site, letting the world know that New York will never be held down. On behalf of Local Union 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and our more than 27,000 members, I wish everyone a happy and safe Labor Day, as we proudly celebrate the values of hard work, trade unionism, and solidarity across our City,” said Christopher Erikson Jr., Local 3, IBEW Business Manager.
“As we mark 25 years since September 11th, we remember the firefighters, first responders, and working people who ran toward danger, helped New York recover, and continued to serve this city through the difficult days and years that followed. That same spirit of courage and solidarity must guide us today because this is our city, our fight, and our future. We have a responsibility to stand together, defend our rights, protect our members, and make sure the next generation has the same opportunities. The best way we can honor those who sacrificed so much is by continuing to fight for one another and for the future of New York,” said Robert Eustace, President, Uniformed Firefighters Association.
“Labor Day is a holiday like none other. It is a celebration of workers, all workers, and doesn’t require gifts or greeting cards. Labor Day is the time that we acknowledge decades of fighting for fairness and dignity at the workplace by union members and labor leaders. It is also a time to say ‘Thank You’ to workers, especially public sector workers, who help to make our City, and our lives, continue to run smoothly,” said Gregory Floyd, President, Teamsters Local 237 and Vice President-at Large on the General Executive Board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
“Despite the gains we continue to make in our organizing efforts and membership growth, there has never been a more volatile time for the labor movement, when our own lawmakers in the White House are following the anti-union game-plan of billionaires who wish to tear our job protections apart and weaken our resolve. They know that the power of working people—when we stand together—is mightier than any dollar amount. This Labor Day, we honor people who make New York City run every day, and we will never give up our fight for dignity in the workplace, for a better quality of life, and for a future our members and their families deserve,” said Henry A. Garrido, Executive Director of District Council 37 AFSCME.
“New York's union workers lead the way, whether we are responding to a disaster or caring for our first responders. We're building our city, fighting for a better, healthier future. NYSNA nurses are proud to commemorate Labor Day with New York’s labor movement, and we are proud to care for New York every day,” said Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, President, New York State Nurses Association.
“Many of the protections and benefits working people have today were won because previous generations organized, fought, and refused to settle for less. As unionists today, we accept that the future of all union jobs is our responsibility. We honor the workers who came before us by continuing to stand together, protect good jobs, serve our communities, and ensure that the labor movement remains strong for the generations that come after us,” said Joseph Martir, NY Metro Area Postal Union President.
“Today we celebrate the enduring power and impact of collective action. With workers under attack and the gap between the super-rich and ordinary people growing by the minute, unions are needed now more than ever. We are proud to stand with our fellow labor unions to be a voice for New Yorkers,” said Michael Mulgrew, President of the 200,000-member United Federation of Teachers.
“Twenty-five years later, we continue to remember the lives that were lost, the families who were forever changed, and the heroes who showed extraordinary courage in the face of unimaginable tragedy. In a world filled with uncertainty, may we continue building safety, hope, and strength together. Let us stand united—not only in remembrance, but in our commitment to support one another, protect one another, and never lose faith. We remember so we never forget. We unite so we never stand alone. We hope because even in the darkest moments, there is light. May we continue to find strength in our faith, courage in one another, and hope for tomorrow—knowing that together, we can overcome any and every obstacle. 25 years later, we remember. We honor. We unite. We believe. We overcome,” said Ahmad Newman, Association of Flight Attendants LEC President 59.
“New York was built by working people, by their hands, their immense skill, their creativity, and their determination to leave something better for those who come after them. The labor movement reminds us that not one of us moves forward alone. Our dignity is bound together, our prosperity is bound together, and our future is bound together. When the voice of one worker is lifted, the voices of all working people grow stronger. When dignity and justice are secured in one workplace, we are one step closer to making that a reality for all. As we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11th, we honor the working people whose courage carried our great city through one of its darkest moments, and whose sacrifices did not end when our city began to heal. Their legacy is part of the story of this union city and a reminder of what we owe to one another. This Labor Day, USA 829 is proud to stand with the NYC Central Labor Council and our union kin across this city to fight for a New York worthy of every worker who calls it home,” said Sandy Phillips, United Scenic Artists, IATSE USA 829 National Business Agent.
“There is nothing like celebrating Labor Day in New York City, a labor town like none other. As we remember those we lost on September 11, we also celebrate how even in our toughest moments, New York workers come together to support each other and the city we call home. So many unionized workers in so many industries are working so closely together, you can’t help but feel the solidarity. We know that when we fight, we win, because workers are getting organized and standing together like never before. I can’t wait to stand side by side with my union family on Tuesday to show the city how we’re building a brighter future for all of us together,” said Al Vincent, Jr., Executive Director of Actors’ Equity Association.
“This Labor Day’s theme, ‘Our City, Our Fight, Our Future,’ resonates especially this year as we commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the September 11 attacks. At that time, New York showed its resilience and its heart, as thousands of workers from every imaginable craft stood together with every New Yorker in unity, confidence, grit, and civic pride to rebuild during a time of unimaginable grief and great uncertainty. That spirit endures today, as we remember, and as we continue our fight for the working people of New York who built, rebuilt, and run this city, the best place on earth. The future depends on us, and the labor movement in New York is ready to meet every challenge,” said Patricia White, President Emerita, IATSE Local 764 / International Trustee, IATSE.