Observe Workers Memorial Day-April 28

Monday, April 28, workers in Minnesota and across the United States will observe Workers Memorial Day. The day was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the passage of legislation establishing OSHA. Similar observances are held in Cananda and by international trade unionists. The Minnesota AFL-CIO has issued the following press release:

 

Minnesotans observe Workers Memorial Day, Monday, April 28

 

As Minnesotans prepare to honor workers who were killed on the job, the national AFL-CIO today released a report saying that US work places are becoming increasingly dangerous. According to the report, 5,840 US workers, 78 of them Minnesotans, died from workplace injuries in 2006.

 

Ceremonies will be held in Monday in Duluth, Minneapolis, Roseville and Apple Valley to honor Minnesota workers who were killed on the job in 2007.

 

 

• Duluth—7-9 AM Breakfast followed by a 9:15 AM  Ceremony of Remembrance
  both at the Duluth Labor Temple—sponsored by the Duluth Central Labor Body

 

• Minneapolis—Noon--Ceremony of Remembrance at Bohemian Flats Park at 22^ndAve. S. at West River Rd., Mpls.—sponsored by the Minneapolis & St. Paul Building Trades Councils

 

• Roseville—2 PM—Ceremony of Remembrance– MnDOT Waters Edge Building (1500 W Co Rd B2 in Roseville)—sponsored by the MnDOT Metro District
• Apple Valley—6 PM—Lebanon Cemetery of Apple Valley—sponsored by the Southern Dakota Labor Alliance

Workers Memorial Day has been observed each year since Congress passed the Occupational Safety & Health Act in 1971. This week, the AFL-CIO released the 17th edition of the annual report, Death on the Job: The toll of neglect. The report includes national and state-by-state profiles on worker safety and health in the United States.

KEYC television in Mankato has this video of union members observing Workers Memorial Day  on Friday. 1st CD Congressman Tim Walz  was also there to honor the dead and support the living..

Fortunately for workers in Minnesota we have a state OSHA agency. Many states do not and must rely on the federal agency to do inspections and investigations. From my experience, the presence of Minnesota OSHA has saved lives and reduced work-related injuries and illnesses.

WorkdayMinnesota has a poignant story, Crossing one bridge at a time, by Michael Kuchta. This report relates the experience of Rob Baily, a union carpenter, who was working on  the I35 bridge prior to the collapse. He lost a union brother andothers were injured. Baily still has a hard time dealing with the events of that day, but is now working on the construction of the new bridge.

As we observe this day we remember the fallen workers and the sick and injured workers

Mother Jones said it best:

Mourn for the dead, fight like hell for the living.

Peace & solidarity,

CHC