Labor Day Parade in Wilmington: Union Members March with Concerns for the Future

Thousands of union workers, their families, and supporters filled the streets of Wilmington on Monday for a Labor Day parade. While the event had a festive atmosphere, there were serious concerns about job security and working conditions.

Jesse Munoz, a 63-year-old longshoreman, expressed worries about automation eliminating over 2,000 jobs in the past 15 years. Foreign-owned companies could further reduce the workforce and lower working conditions, he warned.

Munoz, a member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 13, highlighted his concerns about the future. His son, who hopes to become a union member, faces uncertainties. Loss of jobs means loss of taxes and pensions, Munoz emphasized.

The Wilmington rally joined nationwide Labor Day events. Labor Day also marks a key campaign date for candidates in political races. The first U.S. Labor Day celebration was held in 1882 in New York City. By 1894, it was established as a legal holiday. In Southern California, the labor movement holds significant political influence, unlike other areas.

Union representation rose by 463,000 in 2025, according to pro-labor American Prospect data. National union density increased slightly to 10.0%. However, private-sector union density remained at 5.9%, with gains mostly from government jobs.

“Stop the tariffs and automation,” Munoz urged President Trump. He wants the economy rebuilt with worker-driven initiatives rather than political maneuvers.

Despite Wilmington’s Democratic leanings, some longshoremen showed that pro-labor and pro-Trump views could coexist. A worker in his early 60s praised Trump over Biden and lauded his union. Jordan Gonzales, another longshoreman, voiced concerns about trade work’s future. He noted a shift towards office jobs over traditional labor roles.

School bands, including San Pedro High and Garfield High, performed. Union delegations and a procession of restored and modified cars enhanced the parade. L.A. Mayor Bass led the march behind the shore workers’ banner.

Politicians at Work on Labor Day

A pre-parade breakfast saw politicians address attendees. Xavier Becerra, California’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, thanked union members for their labor and campaign support. He stressed the importance of Election Day for working people.

Los Angeles mayoral candidates, incumbent Bass and challenger Nithya Raman, engaged with the parade crowd. Bass criticized Trump’s impact on working people but praised L.A.’s labor movement. Labor leaders largely support her, except for the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, which endorsed Raman.

In her remarks, Raman criticized automation and AI for eliminating jobs nationwide. She emphasized the need to fight these changes alongside workers. Vice President of the union, Doug Hicks, called for more housing, citing the lack of cranes in downtown Los Angeles.

Joseph W., a master carpenter, spoke about affordable housing difficulties. He noted the drastic increase in property values compared to wages. The ILWU Local 56, a union for ship scalers dealing with hazardous materials, was also present. The union members engaged in environmental cleanups across various sites.

Evan Briseno, 18, hopes to shift to safer work to preserve his health. Meanwhile, Francisco, 21, seeks advancement within his trade despite the dangers. Both expressed concerns about workplace safety over political matters.

Other represented unions included Teamsters, Service Employees International, and SAG-AFTRA, alongside teachers and students. Mark Ramos, Los Angeles County Democratic Party chair and union leader, highlighted the challenge of managing self-serve checkout lines for workers.