Worker Memorial Day events are this week

A young construction worker, a veteran firefighter, a grandmother working a sales job, a popular corrections officer — these are among the 69 people who will be honored this year at 2012 Worker Memorial Day ceremonies around Washington state next week. Each year on Worker Memorial Day, working people throughout the world remember those who were hurt or killed on the job, and renew our struggle for safe workplaces.

“Each and every day in this country, on average 12 workers die on the job as a result of workplace injuries — women and men who go to work, never to return home to their families and loved ones,” said Jeff Johnson, President of the Washington State Labor Council. “It’s important that we honor their memory and their families, and that we rededicate ourselves each year to improving workplace safety and health.”

Here are the events planned in Everett, Tumwater, Seattle, Bellingham and Spokane next week:

EVERETT — The Snohomish County Labor Council will host its annual public Worker Memorial Day event in Everett from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25 at the Workers Memorial in the Mission courtyard of the County Administrative Center at Wetmore & Pacific. This year’s memorial will pay special tribute to Corrections Officer Jayme Lee Biendl, who was killed by an inmate at the Monroe Correctional Facility on Jan. 29, 2011. Biendl was represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 117. For more info, call 425-259-7922.

TUMWATER — The Department of Labor & Industries will conduct its annual commemoration at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 26 at L&I’s central building in Tumwater, 7273 Linderson Way S.W. The agency has hosted a ceremony for Worker Memorial Day for 19 years. The parents, spouses, children and other relatives of those who died from a job-related illness or injury last year have all been invited to attend.  The ceremony includes a reading of the names of the workers who died, accompanied by bell ringers from the Tumwater Fire Department.

For a complete list of those being honored, visit www.WorkerMemorialDay.Lni.wa.gov. Here is a video about the L&I event:

SEATTLE — At 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 27 , at Sylvan Grove on the UW Seattle campus, please join the Harry Bridges Center, UW campus unions, and UW Environmental Health and Safety for a special Worker Memorial Day event honoring the men and women who died while working. Click for details.

BELLINGHAM — The Northwest Washington Central Labor Council will host it annual Worker Memorial Day commemoration at noon on Friday, April 27 on the lawn of the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. For more info, call 360-676-0099.

SPOKANE — The Spokane Regional Labor Council will host its 23rd annual public Worker Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 28 in Spokane’s City Missions Park, 1300 block of East Mission. Fallen workers and fallen warriors who died in 2012 due to their jobs will be honored. The event will be followed by a hosted public picnic in the park. For more info, call Beth Thew at 509-939-0688.