Vic May Day march attracts 5000

Up to 5000 people gave voice to concerns about federal threats to pay and work conditions during the annual May Day march through central Melbourne.

Cold and wet weather did not deter protesters who turned out in force on Sunday for the annual rally.

Melbourne May Day committee organiser Len Cooper said most were expressing fears about the future of their pay and work under the federal government's current program of change.

"People are pretty edgy about the future of pay, conditions, social conditions, work conditions everything's up in the air in their minds," Mr Cooper said.

Protesters also spoke out about the treatment of refugees, changes to Victorian laws concerning protest rights and the dangers of the free trade deals.

Organisers expected 10,000 for the 120th annual May Day march in Melbourne, but an estimated 5000 attended.

Mr Cooper said that given the poor weather on Sunday they were happy with the crowns.

He also highlighted the attendance of a lot of young people at the rally.

"They are probably looking for an alternative to the main political parties who they see as having failed them on big issues," he said.

The march commemorates the events of May 4, 1886 when trade unionists calling for the eight-hour day in Chicago came under fire, with four demonstrators killed.