Public Employee Press

Unions nationwide mark Workers Memorial Day, April 28

Since 1989, the unions of the AFL-CIO have observed Workers Memorial Day on April 28 to remember those who have died on the job and to renew the fight for safe workplaces.

Each year, over 56,000 workers die from job injuries and illnesses and another 6 million are injured.
In 2005, on Sept. 27, Highway Repairer Nicky Antico, 35, a member of Construction Laborers, Highway Repairers & Watershed Maintainers Local 376, died as a result of injuries sustained at work when he was struck by a speeding SUV. Two co-workers, Louis Ciccotto of Local 376 and Michael Moschella of Motor Vehicle Operators Local 983, received serious injuries.

Last year, New York City experienced a 14 percent jump in fatal work injuries.

The reason? The spike in the number of deaths was because workers either fell from high places or were struck by a vehicle or mobile equipment.

More than three decades ago, the U.S. Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Mine Safety and Health Act, promising every worker the right to a safe job. Still, the toll of workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths remains enormous. Mother Jones’ advice, “Mourn for the dead and fight like hell for the living,” still applies.

This year’s Workers Memorial Day program, which is sponsored by the New York City Central Labor Council, its affiliates and New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, will focus on the need to reform the statewide Workers’ Compensation system.