Workers Memorial Day: Mourn the Dead, Fight Like Hell for the Living

Workers Memorial Day 2015 brought tears and determination to make workplaces safer at events across the country.

The AFL-CIO's annual report noted that in 2013, 4,585 workers were killed on the job in the U.S., and an estimated 50,000 died from occupational diseases. That means about 150 workers die every day from hazardous working conditions.

This Workers Memorial Day, CWA Locals paid special tribute to three members tragically killed on the job last year: Britney Byford, 19, CWA Local 6215, Dallas; Bill Morton, 66, CWA Local 6300, St. Louis; and Craig Mathis, 55, CWA Local 3519, Gulfport, Miss.

Cwaers participated in many events to "mourn for the dead and fight like hell for the living."

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• Members of IUE-CWA Local 81359 and CWA Local 1118 joined AFL-CIO, union and health and safety activists for this year's Workers Memorial Day service in Albany, N.Y., remembering the 32 workers who were killed on the job in the Albany area. Gathering at the NYS Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial, they heard from faith and other community leaders.


• In West Virginia, CWA Locals and the State AFL-CIO honored 17 workers who died on the job last year. The Workers Memorial Day ceremony was held at the state Capitol in Charleston, and more than 150 activists participated.

 

• In New York City, members of CWA Locals 1101, 1103, 1109, 1104 and 1180, and District 1, joined events organized by the NYC central labor council and Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) activists.

 

• CWA Locals 1133 and 1168 joined activities organized by Western New York COSH and the Buffalo AFL-CIO.

 

• CWA Locals 9119, 9410, 9415, 9421, 9423, 9003, 9119, 9400 and 9588, and District 9, participated in events in San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose and Los Angeles.

 

• In Houston, CWA Local 6222 played a leading role in the day's events. A coalition of CWA, the Harris County AFL-CIO, Fe y Justicia (a faith based worker center in Houston), International Chemical Workers Union Council, United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities (a national organization focused upon providing support to family members of fallen workers), Steelworkers and LIUNA released the 2015 Workers Memorial Day report that included the names, photos, and background on 62 workers who were killed on the job last year in Houston and information on how activists are working for safer workplaces. The report was released at a vigil and news conference.

 

• In Ohio, activists from CWA District 4, CWA Local 4340 and the Cleveland AFL-CIO were joined by Rep.Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Dr. David Michaels, head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.