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: Demanding dignity and stability for public higher education workers currently facing protracted negotiations.
- Tax the rich: Calling for a shift in fiscal priority so that families and public services come before the accumulation of corporate fortunes.
- Fund Education, Not War and Deportation: A rejection of the diversion of public funds toward militarization and deportation efforts.
- Freedom to Teach, Research, and Learn For All: A firm defense of academic freedom and free elections in a political climate increasingly hostile to intellectual autonomy.
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 for attendees served after the rally in Milne Library 102A
WHEN
May 1st from 12-1pm
Refreshments in Milne Library 102A from 1-3pm
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
- PLEASE NOTE: VISITOR PARKING PASS RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN WAIVED FOR THIS EVENT FROM 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM! YOU DO NOT NEED A VISITORS’ PASS TO PARK ON CAMPUS BETWEEN THIS TIME FRAME! Parking in pre-allocated visitor spaces is preferred but not required.
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
We have signs and posters available to pick up at our Chapter Office in IRC 105, and will have more to distribute to rally participants the day of the event!
TOOLKITS
Higher Education Labor United (HELU) May Day Toolkit:
Hands Off Higher Ed: May Day 2026 Toolkit
UUP Oneonta Rapid Responder
Are you a student or community member who wants to connect with public higher education workers to learn about our concerns and priorities? Sign up to be a UUP Oneonta Rapid Responder and you’ll receive late-breaking opportunities to support the local fights that our members care about! We’ll alert you to calls for political advocacy, labor solidarity actions, ways to fight for a strong UUP contract and much more.
PLEASE PROVIDE A VALID NON-.EDU EMAIL IN THE FORM: https://bit.ly/uuponey-rr