Workers’ Memorial Day April 28, 2007

The first Workers Memorial Day was observed in 1989.  April 28 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the day of a similar remembrance in Canada.  Every year, people in hundreds of communities and at worksites recognize workers who have been killed or injured on the job.  Trade unionists around the world now mark April 28 as an International Day of Mourning.

The IAMAW Workers’ Memorial was dedicated in August of 2001 at William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center located in Hollywood, Maryland.  At the dedication R. Thomas Buffenbarger, IAMAW International President, spoke these words.  “Tears of tragedy fuel our fight for workers’ safety.  Only when the last tear falls will our fight be finished.”

Bricks surrounding the Memorial bear the names of 237 fallen IAMAW members from the U.S. Canada along with bricks donated from lodges and proud members of the IAMAW.  This April 2007, seven IAMAW members who lost their lives while on the job in 2006 will be remembered by placing bricks bearing their names.  Whenever members attend educational classes at WWW, the names surrounding the Memorial remind us that our fight has not yet ended and our dedication to safety and health in the workplace must continue.

Here are some materials and information to help you participate in this years Workers Memorial Day:

          The 2006 edition of Death on the Job or download complete report (PDF, 4.2 MB). The 2007 edition of the report will be available in April;

          Workers Memorial Day flier/fact sheet in English and Spanish;

          Workers Memorial Day poster;

          Workers Memorial Day clip art—

                    Mourn for the Dead, Fight for the Living and
                    Good Jobs, Safe Jobs—It’s Time;

          Workers Memorial Day events form;

          Workers Memorial Day order form;

          Workers Memorial Day proclamation;

          Fact sheet on Workers Memorial Day;

          Safety & Health Update (February 2007); and

          Safe Jobs: Keep on Fighting, a two-page flier from America@work.

Here are some other ways we honor workers who have been killed or injured on the job:

          A Collection of Workers’ Memorials and
          Workers Memorial Day poems and tributes.