Fallen Workers Honored
The Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO event was organized by Western Massachusetts COSH, an organization that promotes worker health and safety through training, education, and advocacy. The non-profit organization focuses on working with unions and employers to promote health and safety activism. They also advocate for just compensation for injured workers as well as fight for safety rights and protections for workers.
Workers Memorial Day, formally observed by unions every year on April 28th, was established to call attention to workers who are the victims of work related accidents. First observed in 1989, the day was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1970. This year's event comes on the heels of a mine collapse and oil rig explosion which killed 40 workers total and gained national attention.
Unions also mark the occasion to stress the need for a more proactive, aggressive approach to worker safety. George Noel, the Massachusetts Director of Labor, stated, “Mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living. That has to be more than a slogan. I look for the day that where we come here and not hear one name, not one!”
Other speakers at the ceremony included Jonathan Tetherly, Hamden County House of Corrections; Michael Florio, Director of Western Mass COSH; Nancy Foley, Director for the Alliance for Injured Workers; U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal; Domenic J. Sarno, Springfield Mayor; George Noel, Director of Labor; Richard M. Brown, Executive Director of the Pioneer Valley Labor Council.
Additional media coverage:
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