Thousands of union members and supporters gathered across Los Angeles and the nation on Labor Day to protest actions by the Trump administration that they argue weaken unions, harm workers, and benefit corporations and wealthy individuals. Rallies, marches, and picnics were held throughout the region, with a major event in Wilmington organized by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
A White House proclamation released Monday stated that President Donald Trump’s policies are “reversing decades of neglect and finally putting American Workers first” through changes to tax laws and efforts to improve the business climate.
Critics at these events accused Trump of undermining labor protections. State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, a Democrat, linked Labor Day themes directly to immigration enforcement: “Donald Trump has gone too far,” she said. “On this Labor Day, we have an American president who takes parents from their children and workers from their jobs.” Durazo argued that recent raids go beyond border security and instead “about breaking the backbone of our economy and terrorizing families.”
Angelica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA, told attendees: “Fighting for workers’ rights means fighting for immigrant rights.”
While the administration promoted its new trade policies—including tariffs intended to boost U.S. manufacturing—debate over their impact continued within both parties. President Trump declared in his Labor Day statement: “Every day, my Administration is restoring the dignity of labor and putting the American worker first. We are making it easier to buy American and hire American, breathing new life into our manufacturing cities, and securing fair trade deals that protect our jobs and reward our productivity. … Under my leadership, we are bringing jobs back to America – and those jobs are going to American-born workers.”
Mickey Chavez, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Southern California District Council, described unpredictable cycles at L.A.’s ports as a result of tariff policies. He said: “It’s been chaotic, more than anything, with the tariffs… Either the workers really get a lot of work because they’re trying to beat the tariffs, or then (Trump) sets out more tariffs and the work slows down.” Chavez noted that uncertainty makes it difficult for lower-level workers in particular.
Chavez also remarked on how dependent port work has become on presidential decisions: “If he sends out a tweet or makes a decision, we never know if there’s going to be work or not, so it’s been in flux.”
On Monday, President Trump issued an order banning collective bargaining at several federal agencies including NASA; certain divisions within NOAA; U.S. Agency for Global Media; International Trade Administration; Patent and Trademark Office; National Weather Service; among others. The administration cited national security concerns as justification for these actions—an extension of earlier orders affecting much of the federal workforce.
Unions responded by filing lawsuits that have temporarily blocked implementation. According to research from the Center for American Progress, these orders have stripped 82% of civilian federal employees of collective bargaining rights—affecting over one million workers nationwide.
In addition to limiting union activity among federal employees, Trump dismissed National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox before her term expired—a move that left the board without a quorum after legal challenges failed at the Supreme Court.
At least one speaker urged support for California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to redraw congressional districts in an effort to flip seats from Republican to Democrat—a strategy meant as a response to redistricting efforts in Texas backed by Trump allies. Voters will decide on Proposition 50 related to this plan.
Democratic Assemblyman Mark Gonzalez emphasized its importance: Trump is already “destroying the fabric of the labor movement” months into his second term.
Opponents—including former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger—argue Newsom’s measure would undo reforms aimed at making districts more competitive.
Despite political tensions expressed during speeches at Wilmington’s rally and parade—which featured union members from many industries—the event maintained a festive atmosphere with music performances, classic cars in procession, entertainment industry representatives present alongside dockworkers and nurses, as well as family activities.
Rallies across Southern California were part of May DayStrong—a coalition including labor groups targeting agencies involved in immigration enforcement such as ICE.
“The billionaires continue to wage a war on working people, with their cronies in the administration, ICE and law enforcement backing up their attacks,” organizers stated in materials distributed at rallies. “This Labor Day we will continue to stand strong, fighting for public schools over private profits, health care over hedge funds, shared prosperity over billionaire-bought politics.”
