Thurs. May 1 is International Labor Day, which has origins in American workers’ fight for shorter daily hours.

Nearly a dozen Arizona unions and pro-labor groups are planning to take part in a national May Day action against what organizers call a billionaire takeover of government.

Among those planning to march from the state Capitol to the federal courthouse in downtown Phoenix is the Arizona Education Association.

President Marisol Garcia said her union membership is up 15% in recent years. The middle school teacher also says she urges students wanting to become billionaires to not forget those whose work helped get them to the top.

“That you treat the people who work for you with dignity. That you pay them a thrivable wage. And you make sure they have health care and safe working conditions. And then you should enjoy your money as much as you’d like to be,” Garcia said.

The AFL-CIO, trade unions, immigrant rights and health care advocates are scheduled to join Garcia’s group.

Labor-themed events are also planned in New Mexico, Texas and North Carolina.