WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY
APRIL 28 OBSERVANCE GIVES UNIONS A CHANCE TO MOURN FOR THE DEAD WHILE AT THE SAME TIME FIGHTING FOR BETTER TIMES FOR THE LIVING
Workers' Memorial Day is coming up on April 28. The Teamsters and other Unions recognize this important yearly Day as a chance to “Mourn for the Dead, and Fight for the Living.” That thought was originally expressed by the famous Labor Activist Mother Jones a Century ago.
Since 1989, the Labor Movement has observed Workers’ Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job. As we remember those who died in workplace catastrophes, suffered diseases due to exposure to toxic substances or injured in dangerous working conditions, we rededicate ourselves to the fight for safe workplaces.
Decades of struggle by workers and their unions have resulted in significant improvements in working conditions. But the toll of workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths remains enormous. More than 56,000 workers die annually from workplace injuries and illnesses; another 6 million are seriously hurt.
WHY
COMMEMORATE ON APRIL 28?
April
28 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, and has been recognized as an international day
remembrance for dead and injured workers since 1996, when a Global Union
delegation lit a commemoration candle to highlight the plight of workers at the
United Nations.
It has been officially endorsed by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). Eleven countries or territories formally recognize April 28 as a national observance day: Argentina, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain and Taiwan. A Workers' Memorial Day is observed in nearly 100 countries.
The toll of workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths remains
enormous. Hundreds of thousands of workers are injured or killed every year.
Highway incidents continue to be the leading cause of on-the-job fatalities, and
truck drivers suffer more on-the-job fatalities than any other individual
occupation. Ergonomic hazards cripple and injure hundreds of thousands of
workers every year and remain the nation’s biggest workplace safety and health
problem.
Some groups of workers are particularly at risk, suffering very high rates of
job injuries and fatalities. Hispanic and immigrant workers, who often work in
the most dangerous jobs and are exploited by employers, have no union
protections and are afraid to speak out. Many public sector workers also have
no OSHA protection. Hundreds of workers are fired or harassed by their
employers each year simply for voicing job-safety concerns or reporting
injuries. OSHA, Department of Transportation (DOT), and Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) whistle-blower and anti-retaliation provisions
are too weak to provide any real protection to workers who try to exercise their
legal rights.
