Workers Memorial Day
Mourn for the Dead, Fight for the Living
Decades of struggle by workers and their unions have led to major improvements in working conditions. But the fight to protect workers must continue. We must demand strong enforcement of job safety laws, defend the gains we have won and address the problems that remain:
- Millions of workers, including public-sector workers, have no protection under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
- Companies that repeatedly break job safety laws – killing workers – face only weak penalties.
- Workplace standards are out of date and inadequate.
- Many long-recognized hazards have not been addressed, and new workplace hazards get no attention.
- Ergonomic hazards still cripple and injure more workers than any other workplace hazard.
- Latino and immigrant workers are being killed on the job in record numbers.
- Coal mine catastrophes and deaths continue, while needed protections are delayed.
- Nine million health care workers and responders face unique risks with the threat of a flu pandemic.
What You Can Do on Workers Memorial Day
- Hold a candlelight vigil, memorial service or moment of silence to remember those who have died on the job and to highlight safety and health problems in your community and at your workplace.
- Organize a rally to highlight safety and health problems in your community or at your workplace and show how the union is fighting to improve protections.
- Create a memorial at workplaces or in communities where workers have been killed on the job.
- Distribute workplace fliers and organize a call-in to congressional representatives during lunch times or break times. Tell your members of Congress to co-sponsor the Protecting America’s Workers Act (S. 1244, H.R. 2049) and to support stronger OSHA and mine safety protections.
- Hold a public meeting with members of Congress in their home districts. Bring injured workers and family members who can talk firsthand about the need for strong safety and health protections. Invite local religious leaders and other allies to participate in the meeting.
See the AFL-CIO website for more information about Workers Memorial Day.
For additional information or to order materials, use our online form or contact:
Denise Bland-Bowles, Department of Research and Collective Bargaining Services
1625 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036-5687
Phone: 202-429-5067
Email: osha@afscme.org
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Frank Cosentino
CSEA Local 1000, New York
"The most important thing my union does is keep me safe on the job. Whether we're fighting for ergonomics standards for office workers or bullet proof vest for corrections officers, the safety of members comes first."
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