International Workers’ Day is May 1, and this year a free event will be held in Grand Junction to celebrate local workers. The event will feature union information and a solidarity fair, and will be held Friday, May 1 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Lowell School lawn, 310 N. 7th Street.
May Day has long been celebrated globally to champion laborers, workers rights and the working class. Historians say the U.S. hasn’t officially recognized May Day as a holiday because of resistance from the U.S. government, conservative leaders and wealthy business interests to emboldening working class unity. It’s long been acknowledged that there is strength in numbers, and positive change for workers happens when workers unite to advocate for better pay and working conditions.
The American Federation of Labor (AFL) designated May 1, 1886, as the date when workers nationally should go on strike to demand an 8-hour workday. After decades of pushing, the 8-hour workday finally became federal law in the United States through the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938.
The local May Day event was announced in the following press release:
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As many Western Slope residents navigate rising costs of living and economic uncertainty, community members in Grand Junction will come together this International Workers’ Day for an event focused on connection, local resources, and the issues impacting working people across the region.
The event will feature live music from Grand Valley Singing Resistance and informational tables hosted by local labor unions and organizations, like AFL-CIO, Colorado WINS, the National Association for Letter Carriers, IBEW Local 111, Indivisible Grand Junction and more. It’s part of a broader nationwide day of action encouraging people to step back from work, school, and shopping to reflect on the role workers play in sustaining local economies and communities.
Some of the benefits achieved by labor unions in the U.S.
Organizers say the event will also highlight current policy conversations, including the proposed Workers’ Protection Act, which aims to strengthen workplace protections and expand access to collective bargaining. Attendees will have opportunities to learn more about local unions and workplace organizing, ask questions, and engage with groups working on these issues.
“We’re all feeling the pressure right now, from housing costs to wages to workplace conditions,” said Raquel Scianna, one of the organizers. “This event is about bringing us together in a positive, community-centered way to share resources, build connections, and better understand how we can support each other as everyday, working Coloradans.”
Organizers, including a coalition of West Slope unions and organizations, emphasize that participation can take many forms and encourage residents to engage at whatever level feels accessible. The event highlights how issues like wages, workplace safety, and economic opportunity impact not just individuals, but the broader health of the community.
Event Details: What: Stronger Together: Union Info & Solidarity Fair When: Friday, May 1, 2026 4:30-6:30 p.m. Where: Lowell School Lawn 310 North 7th, Grand Junction Cost: Free and open to the public
If you have questions about the event, contact Claire Ninde at 970.749.1513
