Will Your Workers Walk Out on May 1?

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04/14/2026

Will Your Workers Walk Out on May 1?

Source: Fisher Phillips, April 14, 2026

A coalition of activist and labor groups is calling for a nationwide “no work, no school, no shopping” action on May 1 (International Workers’ Day) framed by some organizers as a general strike. Whether it reaches that scale remains to be seen. What employers need to know right now, however, is that you have certain rights and responsibilities when it comes to potential protest-related work stoppages, and these obligations turn on some nuances that you should be familiar with. Here is what you should know before May Day arrives, whether or not your workplace is unionized.

What is Actually Being Planned?

The “May Day Strong” coalition is urging workers, students, and community members to stay home from work, avoid school, and boycott shopping on May 1. Organizers are explicitly framing the action as a response to the current administration’s policies. Tactically, the call ranges from full-day walkouts at places of employment to symbolic absences and consumer boycotts, meaning participation could look very different across workplaces and industries.

At this point, the call is largely coming from activist networks, student and higher‑ed groups, and some unions and community organizations. It is not yet a formally coordinated, nationally sanctioned general strike by the big labor federations in the classic sense. However, momentum can gather quickly as May Day approaches, so it makes sense to spend the month of April preparing for potential walkout activity. The first step is understanding the key critical nuances at play.

The Critical Question: Protected or Unprotected Activity?

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects employees’ rights to engage in “concerted activity” for their “mutual aid or protection,” whether or not they are members of a union. This includes the right to strike.

But not all walkouts are protected, and the purpose of the action is the threshold question.

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