Fueled by the theme of “Workers Over Billionaires,” a wave of protests is set to sweep across the United States on Labor Day, September 1, 2025. Organized by a coalition of labor unions and advocacy groups, these demonstrations aim to challenge what organizers call a “billionaire agenda” that disproportionately benefits the wealthy at the expense of working families. With nearly 1,000 actions planned across all 50 states and Washington D.C., the protests represent a significant mobilization of workers and their allies demanding economic justice and a re-prioritization of worker’s rights.
A Nationwide Call for Change
The “Workers Over Billionaires” protests are not isolated events but part of a larger “Labor Day week of action” and the launch of a “Solidarity Season” for SEIU members and their allies, according to SEIU. This widespread mobilization reflects growing discontent with current economic policies and a desire for a more equitable distribution of wealth and power. The protests build upon the momentum generated by previous demonstrations earlier in the year, including May Day, “Good Trouble Lives On,” “No Kings,” and “Rage Against the Regime.”
Who is Involved?
A diverse coalition of organizations is spearheading the protests. Prominent groups include the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of labor unions in the U.S., and the May Day Strong coalition. Other participating organizations include Public Citizen, Indivisible, Democracy Forward, MoveOn, Patriotic Millionaires, Women’s March, Communications Workers of America, National Union of Healthcare Workers, American Federation of Teachers, Americans for Tax Fairness, Our Revolution, SEIU locals, and Common Cause. According to a press release, participants are expected to include a wide range of working people, such as teachers, nurses, construction workers, airport service workers, rideshare drivers, immigrant gig workers, graduate workers, faculty, and healthcare providers, all united with community allies. Targets include the Trump administration and corporations perceived as backing anti-worker and anti-democracy agendas, including entities like Delta Airlines and Amazon, as well as wealthy executives like Jeff Bezos.
What are the Protests?
The “Workers Over Billionaires” actions encompass a variety of events, including marches, rallies, and pickets. Notable planned events include rallies and pickets at Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) Airport targeting Delta Airlines, a march to an Amazon site in Durham, North Carolina, a rally and march in Washington D.C. against corporate power, and a significant rally and march in Chicago. These demonstrations are designed to be highly visible and disruptive, drawing attention to the protesters’ demands and putting pressure on corporations and policymakers to respond.
Where are the protests taking place?
The protests are truly nationwide, with events planned in all 50 states and Washington D.C., totaling over 1,000 demonstrations. Specific locations cited include major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Houston, and Columbus, Ohio, alongside smaller communities such as Palmer and Soldotna, Alaska; Freeport, Maine; Honolulu, Hawaii; Montgomery, Alabama; Tucson, Arizona; Little Rock, Arkansas; San Francisco, California; Denver, Colorado; Hartford, Connecticut; Wilmington, Delaware; Miami, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport; Durham, North Carolina; and Bellingham, Washington. The widespread nature of these protests underscores the depth and breadth of the discontent among working people across the country.
The “Billionaire Agenda” and Workers’ Grievances
At the heart of the “Workers Over Billionaires” protests lies a fundamental disagreement over economic priorities and the distribution of wealth and power in the United States. Organizers contend that the Trump administration’s policies, which they label the “billionaire agenda,” prioritize the ultrarich to the detriment of working people and their families.
Specific Grievances
Protesters are voicing concerns over a range of issues, including attempts to revoke collective bargaining rights from one million federal workers, reductions in minimum wage requirements for federal contractors, proposed elimination of federal minimum wage and overtime protections for 3.7 million childcare and home care workers, and the rescission of minimum wage requirements for disabled workers. According to Americans for Tax Fairness, these policies represent a direct assault on the economic security of working families. Further grievances include cuts to Medicaid, firings of federal workers, ICE raids, broader attacks on workers’ rights and safety net programs, and wealth inequality. Organizers assert that “Billionaires are stealing from working families, destroying our democracy, and building private armies to attack our towns and cities.”
Demands for Change
Beyond protesting specific policies, the “Workers Over Billionaires” movement advocates for a broader set of reforms aimed at creating a more just and equitable society. These include demands for living wages, healthcare access, dignity, and union rights. The movement also aims to combat “cruel attacks on our LGBTQ communities.” According to Public Citizen, these demands reflect a growing recognition that the current economic system is failing to provide for the basic needs of working people and their families.
Impact and the Future of the Movement
The “Workers Over Billionaires” protests are not just a one-day event but a catalyst for ongoing action and change. The sheer scale of nearly 1,000 planned events underscores a significant mass organizing effort. These protests reflect a robust public approval for labor unions, which currently stands at 68%, the highest level since the mid-1960s, according to a recent Gallup poll. Organizers intend for these demonstrations to clearly convey that “working people [are] standing together demanding a city, state, and country that puts ‘workers over billionaires’.”
A “Solidarity Season”
The protests are seen as “just the beginning of an ongoing fight against what’s being taken away from regular people.” By reclaiming Labor Day, workers and their allies are initiating a “Solidarity Season” to demand care, dignity, and power for working families, and to resist billionaires who “slash care, scapegoat immigrants, raid public dollars, and divide working people for profit.” The actions also serve to emphasize that publicly funded infrastructure, such as airports, should prioritize investment in workers, not just profits and tax breaks. As stated by the AFL-CIO, the protests mark a renewed commitment to fighting for economic justice and holding corporations and policymakers accountable.
The “Workers Over Billionaires” protests represent a powerful expression of discontent with the current economic and political landscape. Fueled by concerns over wealth inequality, attacks on workers’ rights, and a perceived “billionaire agenda,” these demonstrations signal a growing movement for economic justice and a re-prioritization of worker’s rights. As the “Solidarity Season” unfolds, it remains to be seen how these protests will shape the future of labor relations and economic policy in the United States, but the message is clear: workers are demanding a seat at the table and a fair share of the economic pie.
