Workers Memorial Day

On April 28 each year, the labor movement observes Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have been killed or injured on the job, and to renew the fight for stronger safety-and-health protections. This year’s theme is Good Jobs. Safe Jobs. Now.

Nearly four decades ago, with union backing, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act and other legislation to establish safety and health standards that protect workers in every industry. Nonetheless, the toll of workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths remains enormous. Each year, thousands of workers are killed, and millions more suffer from job-related injuries or illnesses.

“The tragic, senseless deaths of 29 miners in West Virginia last week show that unscrupulous employers continue to jeopardize the lives of workers,” said APWU President William Burrus. “Let us all pause to remember them and rededicate ourselves to ensuring safety on the job.”

Unlike most other federal safety and health laws, the OSHA law has never been updated and it contains major gaps and weaknesses: Penalties for serious and willful violations of the law are weak, even in cases where workers are killed or injured. Protections for workers who report hazards are inadequate, and workers' rights to participate in OSHA enforcement actions are limited.

The Protecting America's Workers Act (H.R. 2067) [AFL-CIO fact sheet] would update and strengthen the OSHA law and provide workers stronger job safety rights and protections.

The PAWA would:

• Expand protection to federal and other workers not covered under the OSHA law 
  (The Postal Service was made subject to OSHA rules under the Postal Employees Safety Enhancement Act of 1998.)
• Increase employer penalties for job safety violations;
• Require correction of hazards while employer contests of violations are pending;
• Enhance whistleblower protections for workers who raise job safety concerns;
• Expand worker and union rights in OSHA inspections and enforcement cases; and
• Provide victims of job injuries and illnesses and family members the right to be heard in OSHA investigations.

“We urge Congress and the administration to expedite passage of this important legislation,” Burrus said.

Workers Memorial Day materials and suggestions for how to organize an observance are available on the AFL-CIO Web site.