Essex County May Day Roundup: Airports, Teachers, Construction – Montclair, NJ Patch
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — To many, it’s a holiday as “American as baseball and apple pie.”
On Wednesday, May 1, workers across the globe will celebrate International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, which pays tribute to the employees of the world and their struggles. The annual celebration grew out of the 19th-century movement for labor rights and an eight-hour workday in the United States.
“Most Americans don’t realize that May Day has its origins here in this country and is as ‘American’ as baseball and apple pie,” according to the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
“When we remember that people were shot so we could have the eight-hour day; if we acknowledge that homes with families in them were burned to the ground so we could have Saturday as part of the weekend; when we recall 8-year old victims of industrial accidents who marched in the streets protesting working conditions and child labor only to be beat down… we understand that our current condition cannot be taken for granted – people fought for the rights and dignities we enjoy today, and there is still a lot more to fight for. The sacrifices of so many people cannot be forgotten or we’ll end up fighting for those same gains all over again. This is why we celebrate May Day.”
Catch up on some recent labor-related stories in Essex County and New Jersey below. (Click headline to read story)
Climb To Nation’s Highest Minimum Wage Begins At NJ, NY Airports
A historic pay boost at Newark, JFK and LaGuardia airports has begun. Soon, 40,000 workers at the 3 airports will earn $19 per hour.
Essex County Commits To Union Labor For $38M Parking Decks
Parking decks at the Turtle Back Zoo and the Essex County Hall of Records Complex will be built with union labor, officials said.
$30M Facelift At West Caldwell Tech School; Union Labor To Be Used
A $30M makeover of the Essex County School of Technology in West Caldwell will be done with the hands of unionized workers, officials said.
No Tax Cuts For Wealthy Company In West Orange, Union Demands
Members of one of New Jersey’s largest labor unions are planning to pack a public meeting about Essex Green in West Orange.
Millburn Teachers Pack BOE Meeting, Fire Marshal Called (VIDEO)
Teachers and educators with the Millburn Education Association were protesting before the meeting over contract frustrations.
Montclair Teachers Union Wants New Contract For Educators
Members of the Montclair Education Association blasted the lack of a work contract between the district and its teachers at a BOE meeting.
Nutley Teachers Rally; Union Continues Contract Talks With BOE
Dozens of Nutley public school teachers rallied outside John H. Walker Middle School.
Hoboken Hotel Workers Unionize, Win Better Wages And Benefits
Workers will get pay increases and “affordable health benefits.” Housekeepers will get better protection against creepy guests.
NJ Warehouse Workers Say Amazon Jobs Are ‘Unsafe, Grueling’
“Come take a tour and see for yourself,” Amazon said, challenging workers’ claims that their $15 per hour warehouse jobs are “exploitative.”
Verizon, Workers Ink New Deal, Move Forward From Massive Strike
More than 34,000 Verizon workers will get higher wages and better retirement benefits. Talks with the company went well, union leaders said.
NEW JERSEY CELEBRATES MAY DAY 2019
Looking to get out celebrate International Workers’ Day in New Jersey this year? Check out these 2019 events.
DRIVER’S LICENSE EXPANSION – On Wednesday, May 1, immigrant and labor groups from New York and New Jersey will stand together to call for expanding access to driver’s licenses to all qualified drivers, regardless of immigration status. Organizations will highlight the positive impact the expansion would have on road safety, each state’s economy, and keeping families together. The organizations call for immediate passage of legislation in New York and New Jersey. The rally will take place “in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty” at J. Owen Grundy Pier in Jersey City at noon. (Learn more here)
MAY DAY FESTIVAL – On Wednesday, May 1, the American Labor Museum in Haledon will host its annual May Day Festival at 7 p.m. Plans call for instrumental and vocal performances of folk and labor music by George Mann with Marty Confurius and Al Podber, the New Jersey Industrial Union Council (IUC) “Solidarity Singers,” and lyric soprano Annamaria Stefanelli. Light refreshments will be served, tours of the museum will be offered. There is an admission fee of $10. per person. (Learn more here)
WEARING RED FOR EDUCATORS – On May 1, public school educators will gather at three locations throughout Passaic County to rally for “affordable healthcare.” Rallies are slated in Wayne (4 to 5 p.m.), Ringwood (3:30 to 4 p.m.) and Hawthorne (4 to 6 p.m.) Participants can learn more or register here.
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