Worker Memorial Day events across Washington this week

A young fisherman, a veteran truck driver, a bridge painter, and an office manager working at her desk. These are among the 66 people who will be honored this year at the 2013 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 13 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 Tumwater, Seattle, Everett, Tacoma, Spokane and Bellingham next week:

TUMWATER — Tuesday, April 23 at 2 p.m. — The Department of Labor & Industries will conduct its annual commemoration at L&I’s central building, 7273 Linderson Way S.W. The agency has hosted a ceremony for Worker Memorial Day for 20 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 Washington State Council of Fire Fighters. Gov. Jay Inslee is scheduled to attend, as well Washington State Labor Council President Jeff Johnson, and representatives of the Association of Washington Business and the Washington Self-Insurers Association. For more information, visit www.WorkerMemorialDay.Lni.wa.gov.

Here is a video describing last year’s L&I event:

SEATTLE — Wednesday, April 24 at 11:30 a.m. — Please join the University of Washington’s Harry Bridges Center, UW campus unions, and UW Environmental Health and Safety for a special Worker Memorial Day event in the Lyceum Room (first floor) of the UW Husky Union Building to honor the men and women who died while working. Click for details.

EVERETT — Wednesday, April 24 at 5 p.m. — The Snohomish County Labor Council will host its annual public Worker Memorial Day event at the Workers Memorial in the Mission courtyard of the County Administrative Center at Wetmore & Pacific. For more info, call 425-259-7922.

TACOMA — Thursday, April 25 at noon — Local 793 of the Washington Federation of State Employees will host a Worker Memorial Day observance on the grounds of Western State Hospital, 8903 Steilacoom Boulevard SW. WFSE has invited all affiliates of the Pierce County Central Labor Council to join them for a barbecue lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Speakers and a solemn reading of the names of the Pierce County workers who died in 2012 will begin at noon. Elected officials and other special guests have been invited. For more information, email SeanD@wfese.org or call 253-439-0396.

SPOKANE — Saturday, April 27 at 11 a.m. — The Spokane Regional Labor Council will host its 24th annual public Worker Memorial Day Ceremony in Spokane’s City Missions Park, 1300 block of East Mission. Fallen workers and fallen warriors who died in 2012 due to their jobs and their service to our country will be honored. The event will be followed by a hosted public picnic in the park. For more info, call 509-327-7637.

BELLINGHAM — Monday, April 29 at noon — The Northwest Washington Central Labor Council will host it annual Worker Memorial Day commemoration on the back lawn of the Bellingham Public Library along Lottie Street. The featured speaker will be Don Guillot of IBEW 77 discussing the work of line workers during emergencies. For more info, call 360-676-0099.