Workers Memorial Day is April 28

The labor movement will observe Workers Memorial Day on April 28, to commemorate those who have been killed or injured on the job and to revitalize the fight for workplace safety.

Each year, thousands of workers die and millions more are injured or sickened from dangerous working conditions. Many employers routinely cut corners and violate the law.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), between Oct. 1, 2015 and Sept. 30, 2016, nearly 5,000 workers were killed on the job and nearly 2.9 million suffered from non-fatal injuries or illnesses.

During that same time period, ten postal workers lost their lives and 42,259 were seriously sickened or injured. In the last two years, the injury and lost time rate for USPS employees has been over three times the average for other federal employees.

To fight this troubling record, the APWU launched the Stand Up for Safe Jobs campaign, encouraging workers to be aware of the many dangers on the job, and to actively fight together for safe working conditions. Postal workers must remain vigilant at work to enforce safety standards. Go to apwu.org/issues/safe-jobs to learn more.

The theme of this year’s Workers Memorial Day is “Safe Jobs, Every Worker’s Right.” Make it clear that the labor movement will defend the right of every worker to a safe job – and fight until that promise is fulfilled.

APWU members are encouraged to participate in Workers Memorial Day events. To find one near you, visit http://aflcio.org/Issues/Job-Safety/WorkersMemorialDay

If you participate with your APWU local or state union in this or another event for workers’ safety, solidarity and/or to support a legislative issue important to workers, please send pictures of you, your family and/or co-workers to communications@apwu.org for a chance to be featured on the APWU website or in future publications. Remember to wear your union gear!