On April 28th, the UFCW joined other labor union and worker groups in honoring the lives of fallen and injured workers on Workers’ Memorial Day. Every year on this day, the UFCW emphasizes our commitment to safe jobs and working conditions in order to decrease and prevent workplace injuries and fatalities, and increase the overall well-being of the hard-working men and women, not only within our union family, but across all industries.
More than 4,800 workers in the U.S. were killed on the job in 2014, according to the AFL-CIO Death on the Job Report. Additionally, nearly three million workers suffered from injuries and illnesses at work.
Being killed on the job isn’t the only concern. Over the course of a career, it is common for retail, meatpacking and food processing workers to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain and sore joints. They gladly take on these risks so that they can provide for their families.
To highlight the seriousness of safety issues at work, UFCW International President Marc Perrone released a statement, noting that “work can do amazing things for a person, but we also know what work can do to a person physically. Each day, millions of Americans do back-breaking jobs, risking their health and lives to provide for their families and futures. U.S. workers are injured every day lifting heavy boxes, doing repetitive motions, not to mention by accidents and equipment malfunctions.”
President Perrone added that “Workers’ Memorial Day reminds us of those we’ve lost and who have physically sacrificed themselves at their jobs. As technology and industries change, UFCW will always push for safety standards that match the modern workplace.”
To promote the UFCW’s commitment to safety, the International also provided safety tips and facts on UFCW social media channels throughout the day, and asked members to engage and share what role safety plays in their workplaces.
Together, we can create a safer, better life.