Activists, union members and workers gather for Labor Day march

Not everyone is taking this Labor Day off. On Monday, dozens gathered in Watsonville to march for workers’ rights.

According to labor unions, similar events also happened across the country.

Faisal Fazilat, now a temporary employee for the City of Santa Cruz and a union member said his experience couldn’t be more different from working at a fast food chain.

“As someone who’s worked in a non-unionized space like McDonald’s, for instance, that was my first job, I can say that it has a lot of really great benefits, like I’ve never had paid time off before or sick leave,” said Fazilat.

Fazilat said he wanted more people to get those benefits. Marylou Alejo joined the demonstration for the same reason.

“I believe that people should have the right to unite and fight together for benefits, for health benefits, for retirement,” Alejo said.

In 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found full-time salaried union members earn $200 more a week compared to non-union workers. But since the 1980’s, union membership has been on the decline.

Those came to the march said they believe labor rights in the U.S. are at risk.

“There are people that believe that unions shouldn’t exist at all, the right to work measures that are going around the country. There are those that believe that they shouldn’t have pensions and be able to retire when they reach old age. All of that puts a lot of pressure on labor,” said Anna Caballero, California’s 30th District Assemblywoman.

Caballero said she’s also there to represent undocumented workers.

“We need to do everything we can to pass reasonable immigration reform because they deserve to work here, they deserve to stay here, they are a part of mixed families, and they are contributing to our economy,” Caballero said.

California adopted the $15 minimum wage measure last year and many at the march also called for more states to increase their bottom line.