On April 28—Workers Memorial Day—the UFCW honored workers who have been killed, injured, disabled or harmed in the workplace.
“Workers across this country continue to face danger on the job, whether it is the ongoing epidemic of gun violence or the indefensible steps taken by some legislators to roll back workplace protections – including child labor regulations,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone in a statement. “This Workers Memorial Day, our union honors the countless families, communities, and co-workers who have had to deal with the tragic loss of their loved ones.”
“Every day, our members show up to work to ensure that America is fed and our communities keep running, and they should not have to put their lives on the line in order to make a living. The UFCW is committed to continuing the fight to uplift workers and their safety across the country, whether that’s through legislation or a strong union contract.”
Leading up to Workers Memorial Day, the UFCW also held events to honor those who have suffered and died on the job.
The ICWUC/UFCW held a Workers Memorial Day service on April 26 at their headquarters in Akron, Ohio, to honor the memories of ICWUC/UFCW members and all workers who lost their lives, were injured or contracted a disease because of needless and preventable workplace tragedies. ICWUC/UFCW President Lance Heasley and UFCW International Secretary-Treasurer Milton Jones spoke at the event, along with local government officials and Representative Emilia Sykes (Ohio-13) and Senator Sherrod Brown (Ohio).
“This Workers Memorial Day, our union stands with the families, communities, and co-workers who have lost loved ones,” said Jones. “And we honor their service by reaffirming that we will never stop fighting for meaningful improvements in workplace safety—at the bargaining table and in the legislative process—for each and every single worker in this country.”
“On Workers Memorial Day we pay tribute to the lives lost in workplace accidents. We must all pledge to fight tirelessly for workplace safety, so that no other worker suffers this preventable fate,” said Heasley. “Together, let us honor the memory of all workers who have tragically lost their lives on the job. Their legacy will forever inspire us to strive for a safer, healthier, and more just world for all workers. May we never forget the sacrifices of those we have lost, and may their memory continue to guide us in our pursuit of workplace safety and justice.”
If your local attended or hosted an event to observe Workers Memorial Day, please share that information, along with photos, with Julie Anderson at janderson@ufcw.org.