April 26, 2024
Worker Memorial Day 2024
On April 28, 2024, the annual observation of Worker’s Memorial Day will occur. This annual event is held to recognize those who died in workplace accidents over the past year. In the states that occupy Region 8, there were 102 workplace deaths in the past year across all industries. These deaths represent 102 families that lost a loved one, a father, mother, brother, sister, or spouse. Those families lost a breadwinner, a protector, and a helpmate.
Worker’s Memorial Day was first recognized on April 28, 1970, the date the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job. In the years that have followed, the day has been used to remember those who lost their lives in workplace incidents and to promote the idea of workplace safety.
Those of us in labor understand the most important right a worker has is the right to a safe workplace. No job is worth the risk of life and limb to a worker. On average, there are 340 workplace deaths every day in the United States. Union-represented workplaces on average have a much smaller percentage of workplace deaths due to the emphasis on health and safety placed in union contracts. Health and Safety practices in union contracts exceed OSHA standards. However, it is up to labor to support OSHA so workers in non-union workplaces have protections against workplace accidents.
Over the past year, Congressional Republicans have tried to defund OSHA. The “Freedom Caucus” lead a charge to eliminate OSHA’s budget in the name of “spending cuts.” Thankfully, the measure didn’t pass. The Biden Administration has worked to improve health and safety in workplaces and to place worker safety ahead of corporate profits.
Across the country, we are seeing efforts to roll back child worker protections. The growing job market has resulted in worker shortages. There are those in state houses across the country that are attacking work rules for children to allow longer hours and less protection for school-aged children in the workforce. The days of child labor are a blight upon our history. A hundred years ago restrictions on children in the workplace were put in place to protect the most vulnerable of our society. Rolling these protections back in the name of corporate profits is an embarrassment to our country.
This Worker’s Memorial Day let’s all pause to remember those who died on the job in the past year. May we never forget the families broken by these workplace incidents and make sure they receive every benefit they are owed. At the same time, we must push harder to protect OSHA and expand protections for workers everywhere. It must be our priority as the protector of the working class.
Remember, pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.
In Solidarity,
Tim Smith, UAW Region 8 Director
“Who are We? UAW!!
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