Labor Day 2025: A Day of Celebration, Reflection, and Action | News Glare

Today, Monday, September 1, marks Labor Day 2025 in the United States and Canada, honoring the social and economic achievements of working people. While many Americans and Canadians spend the day enjoying barbecues, parades, and a long weekend at the end of summer, this year’s observance has also been marked by widespread demonstrations calling for economic justice and political accountability.

Federal and Financial Closures As a federal holiday in the United States, Labor Day 2025 has led to the closure of:

All non-essential government offices, including federal, state, and local agencies.
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, pausing trading until Tuesday.
Postal services, with both the U.S. Postal Service and major private carriers such as UPS and FedEx suspending regular delivery and pickup operations.

Meanwhile, most banks remain closed, though ATMs and online banking platforms continue to operate. Retailers have adopted varied schedules: major chains like Walmart, Target, and Kroger stores are open with regular hours, Costco remains closed, and select grocery and pharmacy locations have adjusted hours accordingly.

Traditional Celebrations Labor Day traditions continue across North America:

Parades: The West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn drew costumed revelers celebrating Caribbean heritage along Eastern Parkway, while local unions and community groups organized smaller processions nationwide.
Family Gatherings: Barbecues, picnics, and pool parties marked the unofficial end of summer, with travelers flocking to national parks and lakeside retreats for weekend getaways.
Cultural Festivals: Cities hosted concerts and festivals, from Chicago’s Jazz Festival and Camden’s Windjammer Festival to the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, all offering free or low-cost entertainment.

“Workers Over Billionaires” Actions This Labor Day also saw a renewed wave of protests under the banner “Workers Over Billionaires”:

Nationwide, thousands joined demonstrations organized by May Day Strong and partner groups like AFL-CIO, calling for higher wages, stronger labor protections, and an end to corporate influence in politics.
In Seattle, UFCW Local 3000 members held a “Workers Over Billionaires” picnic and march from Cascade Playground to Palantir’s offices, demanding living wages and corporate accountability.
In Minneapolis, union members and immigrant workers picketed MSP Airport, targeting Delta Airlines for its ties to anti-worker policies and ICE contracts.
Washington, D.C., saw a “Freedom Run” protesting federal interventions in local governance, with participants emphasizing solidarity and resistance to perceived authoritarian overreach.

These actions built upon momentum from earlier mass demonstrations, highlighting the intersection of labor rights with broader issues of economic inequality and democratic governance.

Looking Ahead As the Labor Day holiday concludes, Americans and Canadians return to work and school, carrying forward both the festive spirit of summer’s last hurrah and the sobering reminder of ongoing struggles for fair labor practices. This year’s blend of celebration and protest underscores Labor Day’s dual role as both a day of rest and a platform for collective action.