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May 1 (May Day) is International Workers Day, celebrated around the world for nearly 150 years in the movement to expand civil and labor rights for working people.

That’s more important now than ever. We work in education to make a positive impact on young people’s lives and in our communities. May Day offers an opportunity to act on our values in solidarity with a growing movement for working people.

PSEA is promoting May Day 2026 to encourage our membership to join workers across the nation in taking action and helping create the schools, workplaces, and communities that our members, our families, and our neighbors deserve.

How you can take action

How to frame up your May Day plan

Before developing a plan, start by asking a few foundational questions:

  • What issues are big concerns for your members? Consider public education funding, federal cuts to SNAP and Medicaid services, union-busting efforts, immigration enforcement, threats to democratic institutions, etc.

  • What level of urgency do these issues hold for your members? Are enough members willing to act?

  • What response do you anticipate from community members, district leaders, etc.? How should your plan reflect these potential responses?

  • How can you make your plan engaging and fun, while keeping it simple?

Planning checklist

  • Visit www.psea.org/learnmore for information on federal policy issues

  • Contact your UniServ Representative and/or Region Advocacy Coordinator for suggestions

  • Review your plan, asking through the lens: "How does this build engagement, solidarity, and leadership in my local like delegate roles, broad member participation, engage community allies, etc.

  • Don’t forget to take pictures and videos to share with your Region Advocacy Coordinator!

Action ideas to consider in your local association

  • Public or media statement (during a school board meeting or local press release)
    • Connect an issue important to May Day

  • Solidarity action
    •  Wear Red for Ed (or your local union’s colors) on Friday, May 1st
       
  • Find (or create!) an action in your area
    • NEA May Day Toolkit - Find an action in your area, and coordinate with the organizers. Promote to your members, and consider hosting a sign-making event to foster connections between members and community allies.
    • Member day of public service (food drive or other activities)
      • Organize a resource drive that spotlights cuts to education SNAP & Medicaid (food drive, donations to a medical clinic, or “homework help” event at a local library)
    • Legislative walk-in with members and community allies highlighting impacts of federal cuts to constituents
      • CD 7 (Mackenzie)
      • CD 8 (Bresnahan)
      • CD 10 (Perry) 
    • Organize a solidarity walk-in at your schools (staff gathers at a certain time before work and walk in/out their building together)
    • Coordinate with other unions in your area, including other unions representing fellow school employees, the local Area Labor Federation, and/or AFL-CIO labor council.
    • Local or Region teach-in on a relevant topic (local impacts of federal funding cuts, labor history, etc.) for your members and community allies

  • Petition your school board calling on them to fill gaps left by federal program cuts

  • Create and share a May Day image or frame for members to use in their social media profiles

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