Worker Memorial Day events continue today

(April 18, 2014) — Across Washington state, Worker Memorial Day commemorations will soon be held to honor and remember those who were hurt or killed on the job, and to renew the fight for safer 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, AFL-CIO. “It’s important that we honor their memory and their families, and that we rededicate ourselves each year to improving workplace safety and health.”

In conjunction with the Worker Memorial Day event it will host April 29 (details below), the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has compiled a booklet featuring photos and thoughts from families about some of the state residents who died on the job in 2013.

Although Worker Memorial Day is officially April 28, these events in Washington will begin happening as soon as Wednesday, April 23. Here are the ones scheduled in Washington:

EVERETT — Wednesday, April 23 at 5 p.m. — The Snohomish County Labor Council, AFL-CIO will host its annual Worker Memorial Day commemoration from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23 at the Workers Memorial Statue in front of the Snohomish County Mission Building, 3021 Wetmore in Everett. For more info, call 425-259-7922.

SEATTLE — Friday, April 25 at 11:30 a.m. — The UW Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences will host its Worker Memorial Day commemoration honoring those who died in 2013 from a work-related injury or illness in King County. It will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25 at the Odegaard Undergraduate Library, Room 220, UW Seattle. Click for details.

SPOKANE — Saturday, April 26 at 11 a.m. — The Spokane Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO will host its 25th annual Worker Memorial Day commemoration at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 26 at the Spokane City Mission Park, 1300 E Mission, along the Centennial Trail. L&I Director Joel Sacks and WSLC President Jeff Johnson are featured guest speakers. For more info, call. 509-327-7637.

TACOMA — Monday, April 28 at 11:30 a.m. — The Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO will hold its annual Worker Memorial Day event with Washington Federation of State Employees Local 793 at one of the most dangerous workplaces in the state –Western State Hospital, 9601 Steilacoom Blvd SW in Tacoma — from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28. Lunch will be provided, courtesy of WFSE Local 793. For more info, call 253-473-3810.

BELLINGHAM — Monday, April 28 at noon — The Northwest Washington Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO will conduct its annual Worker Memorial Day commemoration at noon on Monday, April 28 by the Worker Memorial Monument on the lawn of the Bellingham Library. Click for details.

OLYMPIA/TUMWATER — Tuesday, April 29 at 2 p.m. — The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries will host its annual Worker Memorial Day ceremony at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29 to honor those who have died in the previous year from job-related injuries or illnesses. The event will be at L&I’s Tumwater HQ, 7273 Linderson Way S.W. Click for details.

Also, check out the AFL-CIO website for more information about the significance of Workers Memorial Day and how you can get involved in the fight for safer workplaces.