Workers Memorial Day Events

Brothers and Sisters-

 On April 28, 2017, the labor movement will once again observe Workers Memorial Day to remember workers who have been killed or injured on the job and to renew the fight for strong safety and health protections. To assist you with planning and organizing events, the AFL-CIO has prepared materials which are posted on the AFL-CIO website and will be mailed to you shortly. The theme of this year’s Workers Memorial Day is “Safe Jobs. Every Worker’s Right.” This year’s Workers Memorial Day highlights the safety and health gains unions have won and how this progress is now threatened by the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress.

 After years of struggle we have won new rules to protect workers from deadly silica dust and beryllium, a tougher coal dust standard for miners, and stronger anti-retaliation protections for workers who report job injuries.

 All of these hard-won gains are now threatened. The Trump administration has launched an all-out assault on regulations. The president has ordered that for every new protection, two existing safeguards must be removed from the books. At the same time Republicans in Congress have moved quickly to overturn new rules issued by the Obama administration.  Agency budgets and enforcement programs are on the chopping block. The safety and health of workers and the public are in danger.

 We must fight back. We cannot and will not let them turn back the clock and destroy the progress we have made to make jobs safer and save lives.

 We urge you to get involved and organize actions, activities, or observances in your workplaces and communities to highlight the toll of job injuries and deaths. Demand that elected officials put workers’ well-being above corporate interests. And demand jobs that are safe and healthy and pay fair wages. Make it clear that the labor movement will defend the right of every worker to a safe job and fight until that promise is fulfilled.

 Please let us know what you are planning by filling out and returning the Workers Memorial Day event form or by posting your event on the website (event posting site will be available shortly). For additional information and to order copies of materials, please contact the AFL-CIO Safety and Health Department at 202-637-5366, or visit the AFL-CIO website at: www.aflcio.org/WorkersMemorialDay.

 We will be sending additional materials (sample talking points, press advisories, press releases and state specific safety and health information) in April prior to Workers Memorial Day.

 Please join us on Workers Memorial Day, April 28, to honor the victims of workplace injury and illness and to keep on fighting for the promise of safe jobs for all workers.

 In Solidarity,

 Peg Seminario

Safety and Health Director

AFL-CIO