Rally In Worcester For May Day Asks: 'Listen To Workers

WORCESTER, MA — A coalition of labor, social services and faith groups will mark May Day — a holiday that commemorates the struggles of working people — with a rally Monday outside city hall.

The message of the Worcester Community Labor Coalition event: listen to the workers who live and work here, especially as Worcester undergoes a boom of economic development.

The May Day rally will begin at 4 p.m. Monday in front of Worcester City Hall along Main Street. The lineup of speakers will include:

• Calvin Feliciano, Mass Teachers Association
• Carla Leblanc, Massachusetts Nurses Association
• Jeuji Diamondstone, Renewable Energy Worcester
• Helen Malone, Community Healthlink
• Yvette Dyson, Worcester Common Ground
• Steve Teasdale, Main South Community Development Corp.
• Saul Ramos, Education Association of Worcester
• Nick Wurst, Socialist Alternative and Rail Workers United
• Evren Pallares, Teamsters 170
• Dave Minasian, Carpenters Local 336
• Fred Taylor, Carpenters Local 336, Worcester NAACP

Last year's May Day event in Worcester focused on members of the Educational Associates of Worcester (EAW) support professionals. Since then, the EAW's contract with the district has expired, and teachers and others represented by the union have recently held rallies — ahead of a possible vote of no-faith in the school committee.