On April 28, Working People Renew Fight for Safety (4/28/07)

On April 28, working people will observe Workers' Memorial Day in the U.S. and Day of Mourning in Canada to remember those who have suffered and because of dangerous workplaces and to renew the fight for safe workplaces and strong health and safety legislation.
Workers' Memorial Day and Day of Mourning provide an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by working people that have led to the fight for safer workplaces. The day also marks the anniversary of the passage of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act on April 28, 1971.
Though OSHA and union supported actions have helped make workplaces safer, there is still a long way to go. Each year over 60,000 workers in the U.S. die from job-related injuries and illnesses, and another six million are injured. Workers' Memorial Day honors those hurt or killed on the job, but also calls for the protection and expansion of current health and safety laws, including a final ergonomics standard and stronger whistle-blower protections for those seeking to enforce their OSHA rights.
This April 28, set aside a few moments to mourn those lost on the job, but also resolve to join the fight to make the worksite a safer place.