BOSTON — Thousands of union members and labor supporters are expected to march through the city on Monday, September 1, 2025, as part of Boston’s first-ever Labor Day Parade, themed “Workers Over Billionaires.” The event, organized by the Greater Boston Labor Council (GBLC), replaces the traditional Labor Day Breakfast at the Park Plaza and is intended to spotlight worker frustration with billionaire influence over government, economics, and public policy.
“This isn’t just a parade; it’s a statement,” said GBLC President Darlene Lombos said in a statement. “We’re celebrating Boston’s labor history while calling attention to the fight for fairness, security, and dignity on the job. Workers are fed up with billionaires who hijack our democracy while pushing brutal cuts to the very programs that create jobs and keep our communities strong — everything from infrastructure investment to education and health care. In the face of rising costs, persistent income inequality, and unchecked corporate greed, the Greater Boston Labor Council and our allies are standing up to demand Workers Over Billionaires.”
The event will begin with a press roundtable at 9:00 a.m. on the steps of the State House, followed by an opening program at 9:30 a.m. on Boston Common. The parade is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at Liberty Mall and conclude with a closing program at City Hall Plaza around 11:35 a.m., with food trucks, music, and community entertainment to follow.
Confirmed speakers and marchers include high-profile figures such as U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch, and national labor leaders like Jimmy Williams, Jr. of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades and Sara Nelson of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
Stops along the parade route will include sites symbolizing both labor history and corporate power—such as BlackRock’s corporate offices and Faneuil Hall—with commentary on each location’s significance expected throughout the march.
While focused on labor activism, the event will also showcase Boston’s cultural vibrancy. Performers include the Good Trouble Brass Band, Circus Up, Roberto Clemente Dancers, Northeastern University’s Pep Band, and marching bands representing multiple unions.
The GBLC was chartered by the national AFL-CIO and serves 24 communities across Greater Boston, advocating for economic justice and stronger protections for working families. More information is available at gblc.us.