Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani are set to headline “Union Now: Building the Labor Movement” on Sunday at Terminal 5 in Midtown Manhattan, turning the West Side music venue into a full‑blown pro‑labor pep rally. Organizers say the event aims to boost union power and bring together union leaders, rank‑and‑file members and progressive elected officials for an afternoon of speeches and live music, as unions across the region ramp up organizing drives and contract showdowns.
According to Friends of Bernie Sanders, doors open at noon and the speaking program kicks off at 2 p.m., with music by Josh Ritter and an appearance from AFA‑CWA president Sara Nelson. The date, location at Terminal 5 and the fact that the program is free with an RSVP are confirmed by Bowery Presents.
Why This Rally Matters
Sanders and Mamdani have been moving in lockstep on labor issues this year, most recently joining striking nurses in Manhattan in January, as reported by AP. Local labor groups say the Terminal 5 event is meant to turn that energy into a broader organizing push and spotlight demands around pay and working conditions, according to a UAW Region 9A newsletter. Organizers are pitching it as part of a national effort to rebuild union density and push back on corporate clout.
How To Attend
Tickets are free, but you will need to RSVP. The Friends of Bernie page includes the sign‑up form and a list of prohibited items such as signs, flags and large bags. The Association of Flight Attendants has urged members to show up for the launch in a post laying out why growing union membership and bargaining power matters, per AFA‑CWA. If you cannot make it to Midtown, you can still follow along through the program page on C‑SPAN.
