This May 1st, We Say “Fair Contract Now” & “Workers Over Billionaires”!
UUP Oneonta, CSEA Oneonta, Cooperstown Oneonta Indivisible and more will hold a rally on May 1, 2026 (May Day / International Workers’ Day) in support of a fair, on-time contract for public higher education workers in New York State — and in defense of higher education jobs, the students they serve, academic freedom, and democracy.
This rally joins a coordinated national day of action, led by the May Day Strong coalition, bringing together workers, immigrants, students, and families in a growing list of thousands of rallies, marches, walkouts, town halls, and teach-ins.
Families across the country are facing rising costs of housing, healthcare, groceries, and child care while billionaires and corporations attack our neighbors, shred government budgets to fill their pockets, and reshape the rules to protect their power.
On May 1, participants will demand:
- A fair, on-time contract for public higher education workers in New York State
- Tax the rich so our families, not their fortunes, come first.
- No ICE, NO War. No private army serving authoritarian power. Fund Education, Not War and Deportation!
- Expand democracy, not corporate rule. Defend free and fair elections.
- Hands off Higher Ed! We demand the freedom to teach, research, and learn for all.
Together, we will take action alongside workers, parents, students, and community members who are uniting to demand better, safer, and stronger communities — places that put the needs of working families first. We’re standing up for thriving neighborhood public schools, affordable housing, and access to high-quality healthcare, prioritizing people over the profits of billionaires and their corporations.
This May Day, we will reshape how our nation responds to the needs of working families by centering their lived experiences. We are building momentum toward a future that protects the rights, dignity, and well-being of everyone who works for a living.
A commitment to nonviolent action is a core principle behind all May Day events. All hosts and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who may disagree.
Event Details
WHERE
SUNY Oneonta, IRC Quad (Rain location: IRC 1)
Refreshments served after the rally in Milne Library 102A
WHEN
May 1st from 12-1pm
EVENT SHORTLINK
CAMPUS MAP & PARKING INFO
- Campus Map (contains locations of visitor parking and instructions)
- You can obtain a visitor parking permit at the following locations:
- Parking Map
ACCESSIBILITY INFO
The campus has accessible parking, entry, and ramps. We will also have some tables and chairs for attendees. Please see the Accessible Campus Routes Map, and contact the Office of Facilities at 607-436-3224 or at facilities@oneonta.edu for more detailed information.
SIGNS
TOOLKITS
Higher Education Labor United (HELU) May Day Toolkit:
Hands Off Higher Ed: May Day 2026 Toolkit