IAM Dedicates Memorial To Fallen Members
Every day in North America, a needless workplace death means a loved one will never come home again. Each death leaves behind shocked co-workers and devastated families.
The real tragedy is that almost every one of these accidents is preventable.
A new memorial at the IAM's William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center will honor IAM members who lost their lives on the job. It serves as a vivid reminder that job safety is a life or death issue.
“Our fight for safety is perpetual,” declared IAM President Tom Buffenbarger at the memorial’s unveiling ceremony. “This lighthouse will be an eternal beacon
for
our fallen brothers and sisters. Today we rededicate ourselves to the cause
of a safe workplace.”The Worker's Memorial features a sculpture of a lighthouse and the names of more than 130 fallen IAM members inscribed in bricks around its base. The names were submitted by IAM lodges and family members. Each of the fallen members’ names were read aloud.
Many family members attended the dedication ceremony. “It’s been eleven years and not a day goes by that our family doesn't think of my father,” said Local 568 member Brandon Smith. His father, Brent Smith, was killed in a 40 foot fall when the welds broke on the lift he was operating.
Brandon now works at the same company, Kennecott Utah Copper, as his father. “I think of all the graduations, weddings and most of all the grandchildren he’s missed. I now advocate for safety at my job. I tell people to please be careful because it’s your families that will miss you most,” said Smith.
Local 1932 member Mike Philipopoulos was just six years old when his father, a rampserviceman at United Airlines, was killed in a food truck accident.
“My father had just built our house. I was only six and a half, the youngest of five kids, when the accident happened. I have a few memories of my father, mostly that he was a very loving guy,” said Philipopoulos, who also works as a rampserviceman for United Airlines in Los Angeles. “This memorial is something special.”
The memorial started as an idea from rank and file safety activists, including Local 1833 member Mary Sansom. After unanimous approval by the Executive Council, it took a year to find the artist, come up with a final design and construct the memorial.
“We commissioned this work so we would never forget our brothers and sisters who died on the job,” said IAM Safety and Health Director Mike Flynn.
“By putting the memorial at the Winpisinger Center, everyone who comes through here will see it and understand how important workplace safety really is. When Brandon Smith talked about the holidays and the grandchildren his father missed, it brought home what we are all about ÐÐ preventing deaths in the workplace.”
Any member whose death resulted from a workplace illness or injury can have their name inscribed at the monument. Space at the memorial is available for locals and districts that want to create a personal message. For more information about the memorial, call the Safety and Health Department at 301-967-4704.
Click on the link below, or paste it into your browser to see a video of the memorial service:
http://www.goiam.org/library.asp
Editor’s Note: The IAM Worker’s Memorial will have a special commemorative section to remember the tragedy of September 11, 2001.