Tag Archives: AFL-CIO

2023, 2023 North America, 2023 USA, Events listing, News

USA: Safety is a fundamental right

 

The 2023 edition of Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect marks the 32nd year the US national union center AFL-CIO has produced a report on the state of safety and health protections for America’s workers. The publication is a key resource for US union representatives on 28 April, International Workers’ Memorial Day. This year US unions are highlighting the lifesaving role of organizing for safe work, stressing this is now a fundamental right. It notes racial and other social inequalities in occupational safety and health are a major problem.

AFL-CIO says the US Occupational Safety and Health Act, “promising every worker the right to a safe job, has been in effect for more than 50 years, and more than 668,000 workers now can say their lives have been saved since the passage of the OSH Act.

“Over the last 50 years, there has been significant progress toward improving working conditions and protecting workers from job injuries, illnesses and deaths. Federal job safety agencies have issued many important regulations on safety hazards and health hazards like silica and coal dust, strengthened enforcement and expanded worker rights. These initiatives have undoubtedly made workplaces safer and saved lives. But much more progress is needed.”

See the Full Report

2023, 2023 USA, Events listing, News, Resources

USA: AFL-CIO – Workers Memorial Day 2023 – Organize! Safe Jobs Now

   

AFL-CIO’s Workers Memorial Day web page is  live! – and available for you to order materials and download artwork to use for your events, trainings, conferences, newsletters, and more. aflcio.org/WorkersMemorialDay

Each year since 1989, we commemorate this day to honor those we have lost on the job and we will organize to make the fundamental right of a safe job a reality for all workers. This year’s theme is “Organize! Safe Jobs Now.” focusing on dignity at work, the growth of the labor movement and equity through safe workplaces.

Please join us this April 28 to honor the victims of workplace injury and illness and the call to organize safe jobs for all workers. As we do every year, trade unionists around the country and globe will organize our communities and workplaces to observe Workers Memorial Day. We will highlight the toll of job injuries and deaths; demand that elected officials put workers’ well-being above corporate interests; and demand safe jobs for all. This year, and every year, the labor movement will defend the right of every worker to a safe job and build collective power to make that right a reality.

We can’t do this alone, and together, we need to organize all workers in this fight for safer working conditions. We are building campaigns leading up to the end of April and throughout the year to mourn and fight.

Please use the resources below when planning for this year’s Workers Memorial Day and reach out to us with any questions, concerns, comments along the way.

Materials and Artwork:

Please visit this page to view and download this year’s materials and artwork. These include posters, stickers, and fliers in English and Spanish. Stickers are available for “Organize! Safe Jobs Now” and for “Mourn for the Dead. Fight for the Living.”

Please place your order for materials here. You can either pick up materials in person at our Washington DC headquarters or have them shipped to you.

Workers Memorial Day Events:

We want to hear about your Workers Memorial Day plans! Please share your event with us so that we can include it on our map of events across the country. Plan events, actions, activities and observances with suggestions in our flier.

Toolkit Coming Soon:

We are working expediently to distribute more materials to help you plan your commemorations and advocacy efforts. These include talking points, sample materials for media outreach, worker safety and health facts, state-by-state safety and health data, fact sheets, digital resources, infographics and more.

How to reach out to us about Workers Memorial Day:

oshmail@aflcio.org or 202-637-5047

Hashtags you can use to build solidarity online around Workers Memorial Day: 

#iwmd2023 #WorkersMemorialDay #1uSafety

Please note: Our annual report, Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, will be published at the end of April. You can place orders now for a hard copy of the report, and it will be shipped later. It will also be available electronically.

Come organize with us!

aflcio.org/workersmemorialday

#iwmd22, 2022, 2022 USA, Events listing, graphics

USA: Black and latino workers are at higher risk of death at work – AFL-CIO

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by AFL-CIO (@aflcio)

America’s labor movement is fighting for a time where no one has to go to work in fear of injury, sickness, or death.

On International Workers’ Memorial Day and everyday, we “Mourn the Dead, and Fight Like Hell for the Living!” #IWMD2022

#iwmd22

2022, 2022 North America, 2022 USA, Events listing, Resources

USA: The AFL-CIO’s Workers Memorial Day toolkit is out

The AFL-CIO’s Workers Memorial Day toolkit is out:

Here, you can find talking points, sample press materials, and national and state by state data to use when planning your WMD events/commemorations. Materials are available in English and Spanish.

 

2022, 2022 North America, 2022 USA, Events listing, graphics, Resources

USA: Workers Memorial Day 2022: Materials and Resources – AFL-CIO

AFLO-CIO is gearing up for International Workers’ Memorial Day with a comprehensive suite of resources including briefings, information, posters, stickers, graphics and events listings available in English and Spanish.  The details below are from  Safety and Health Director Rebecca L. Reindel.

Flyer [English]
Flyer [español]
 

 

 

 

 

Colleagues,

Workers Memorial Day, April 28, is just around the corner. This year, the labor movement will commemorate those we have lost on the job and will organize to make the fundamental right of a safe job a reality for all workers. This year’s theme is “Organize! Safe Jobs Now.” Attached are AFL-CIO President Shuler’s letter, launching Workers Memorial Day planning this year and English and Spanish versions of this year’s flier.

Please join us this April 28 to honor the victims of workplace injury and illness and the call to organize for safe jobs for all workers. As we do every year, trade unionists around the country and globe will organize our communities and workplaces to observe Workers Memorial Day.

We will highlight the toll of job injuries and deaths; demand that elected officials put workers’ well-being above corporate interests; and demand safe jobs for all. This year, and every year, the labor movement will defend the right of every worker to a safe job and build collective power to make that right a reality.

Please use the resources below when planning for this year’s Workers Memorial Day and reach out to us with any questions, concerns, comments along the way.

Materials and Artwork:

Please scroll down our Workers Memorial Day home page to view and download this year’s materials and artwork: aflcio.org/workersmemorialday. These include posters, stickers, and fliers in English and Spanish. Stickers are available for “Organize! Safe Jobs Now” and for “Mourn for the Dead. Fight for the Living.”

Please place your order for materials here. You can either pick up materials in person at our Washington DC headquarters or have them shipped to you.

Workers Memorial Day Events:

We want to hear about your Workers Memorial Day plans! Please share your event with us so that we can include it on our map of events across the country.

Plan events, actions, activities and observances with suggestions in our flier. If gathering in person, especially indoors, please follow CDC’s guidelines on organizing large events and gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Toolkit Coming Soon:
Soon, we will be distributing more materials to help you plan your commemorations and advocacy efforts. These include talking points, sample materials for media outreach, worker safety and health facts, state-by-state safety and health data, fact sheets, digital resources, infographics and other information.

How to reach out to us about Workers Memorial Day:
oshmail@aflcio.org or 202-637-5341

Hashtags you can use to build solidarity online around Workers Memorial Day:
#IWMD2022 #WorkersMemorialDay #1uSafety

Rebecca L. Reindel, MS, MPH (she/her)
Safety and Health Director, AFL-CIO
815 Black Lives Matter Plaza, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006

2021, 2021 North America, 2021 USA, Events listing, graphics, Resources

USA: 28 April resources, listing and further information from AFL-CIO

 

This Workers Memorial Day, April 28, is just around the corner. As workers continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic in their workplaces every day, the labor movement will commemorate those we have lost on the job and call to renew the promise of a safe job for every worker and fight for stronger safety and health protections. This year’s theme is “Renew the Promise. Safe Jobs for All.”

Attached is AFL-CIO President Trumka’s letter, launching Workers Memorial Day 2021 and the AFL-CIO’s campaign for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Also attached are English and Spanish versions of this year’s flier.

Please join us this April 28 to honor the victims of workplace injury and illness and to keep on fighting for the promise of safe jobs for all workers. As we do every year, trade unionists around the country and globe will organize our communities and workplaces to observe Workers Memorial Day. We will highlight the toll of job injuries and deaths; demand that elected officials put workers’ well-being above corporate interests; and demand safe jobs for all. This year, and every year, we will make it clear that the labor movement will defend the right of every worker to a safe job and fight until that promise is fulfilled. 

Please use the resources below when planning for this year’s Workers Memorial Day and reach out to us with any questions, concerns, comments along the way.

Materials and Artwork:
Please scroll down our Workers Memorial Day home page to view this year’s materials and artwork: http://aflcio.org/workersmemorialday

This year, we resumed the printing and shipping of orders from our building. You can place an order for materials on our website here: aflcio.org/wmd-materials

Workers Memorial Day Events:

Planning your events and commemorations will continue to be different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consider virtual events, actions, activities and observances with suggestions in our flier. If gathering in person, please follow CDC’s guidelines on organizing large events and gatherings.

We want to hear about your Workers Memorial Day plans! Please share your event with us here so others can view and we can include it on our map.

More Materials Coming Soon:
Soon, we will be distributing more materials to help you plan your commemorations and advocacy efforts. These include talking points, sample materials for media outreach, worker safety and health facts, state-by-state safety and health data, fact sheets on safer workplaces through the PRO Act and the recently introduced workplace violence legislation, COVID-19 facts, digital resources, infographics and other information.

How to reach out to us about Workers Memorial Day:
oshmail@aflcio.org or 202-637-5305

Hashtags you can use to build solidarity online around Workers Memorial Day and the PRO Act:
#IWMD2021 #WMD2021 #1uSafety #PROAct

2020, 2020 USA, News, Resources, Videos

USA: AFL-CIO COVID-19 Resources

Video

The AFL-CIO has put together a list of resources for working people impacted by COVID-19. The site includes information about unemployment benefits, paid leave, health insurance and community assistance resources.  Find them here: aflcio.org/resources

2020 USA, Events listing, News, Resources

USA: AFL-CIO – Unions are getting geared up for virtual campaigning

From AFL-CIO director of health and safety, Rebecca Reindel

Colleagues,

Workers Memorial Day, April 28, is just around the corner. This year is especially challenging for everyone, as we are in the midst of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic — a major crisis for workers, our families, our country and the world. We know each of you and your communities are struggling in different ways. Our hearts are with you.

It is more important now than ever for the labor movement to commemorate those we have lost on the job, and to renew our fight for stronger safety and health protections and the need to speak up for workers’ rights. This Workers Memorial Day, the theme is: “Protect Our Rights. Speak Up for Safe Jobs.”  AFL-CIO President Trumka’s letter announcement in online since we cannot mail it to you this year. Please join us this April 28 to honor the victims of workplace injury and illness and to keep on fighting for the promise of safe jobs for all workers.

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, we have fought back against the Trump administration, who has weakened worker protections at the very time they need to be strengthened to protect our communities, who has allowed industry associations to hold back common sense measures that would prevent workplace exposure to this virus, who did not heed the labor movement’s call early and did not act quickly enough to secure testing, workplace plans and protective equipment in the U.S. Last week, the first U.S. health care workers died from COVID-19 because they did not have the protections they needed to care for patients at work. We are hearing about flight attendant and manufacturing worker COVID-19 fatalities, too. This is criminal. This could have been prevented.

We must continue to fight back. We cannot and will not let the Trump administration leave workers unprotected as they battle this disaster. We will not let them turn back the clock and destroy the progress we have made to keep workers safe.

Please use the resources below when planning for this year’s Workers Memorial Day. It may be different than other years, but commemorating this day is more crucial than ever. Please reach out to us with any questions, concerns, comments along the way.

Materials:
AFL-CIO website at: www.aflcio.org/WorkersMemorialDay

Please also access these flyers in English and Spanish and poster and sticker artwork directly here. We want you to use these digital resources since hard copies are not available at this time.

Please note that our building is currently closed so we are not currently filling and shipping orders. However, we are keeping track of orders that come in so please feel free to place them. Once our building reopens, we will reach out to you for confirmation that your order is still needed, at which time it will be processed.

Workers Memorial Day Events:

Planning events will be different this year because we probably won’t be gathering in person. That’s okay. We still urge you to get involved and organize actions, activities, or observances for your workplaces and communities to highlight the toll of job injuries and deaths; demand that elected officials put workers’ well-being above corporate interests; and demand jobs that are safe, healthy and pay fair wages. This year, as every year, we will organize to make it clear that the labor movement will defend the right of every worker to a safe job and fight until that promise is fulfilled.

Even if we are not getting together in person, trade unionists around the country and globe will organize our communities and workplaces to observe Workers Memorial Day. Alternative ideas for events, actions and activities are in our flyer, available in English and Spanish. We also would like to hear about new and innovative ways you’re planning events this year, given social distancing measures.

Please share your event with us here.

Workers Memorial Day Toolkit:
Coming soon! To assist you with your planned events or activities, we soon will be distributing our Workers Memorial Day Toolkit. It will include talking points, sample materials for media outreach, worker safety and health facts, state-by-state safety and health data, COVID-19 facts and other information. Please use this in your commemoration and advocacy efforts.

How to reach out to us about Workers Memorial Day:
oshmail@aflcio.org or 202-637-5305

Hashtags you can use to build solidarity online around Workers Memorial Day:
#IWMD2020 #WMD2020 #1uSafety

2019, 2019 USA, Events listing, News, Resources

USA: AFL-CIO releases yearly worker safety report – Death on the job

In recognition of Workers Memorial Day, the AFL-CIO has released its 2019 edition of “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect,” a national and state-by-state profile of worker safety and health in the United States.

In 2017, 5,147 workers lost their lives on the job as a result of traumatic injuries, according to fatality data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Each day in this country, an average of 14 workers die because of job injuries—women and men who go to work, never to return home to their families and loved ones. This does not include those workers who die from occupational diseases, estimated to be 95,000 each year.

Violence is also a growing threat to workers’ safety, especially in the health care industry. Rates of violence against health care workers are reported to be up to 12 times higher than rates for the overall workforce.

The cost of these injuries and illnesses is enormous—estimated at $250 billion to $330 billion a year, according to the AFL-CIO report.

To access the entire report, click here.

2019 Death on the Jobs Report release video, AFL-CIO Latino

USW News release

2019, 2019 USA, Events listing, News

USA: ADAO Joins Forces to “Pray for the Dead and Fight Like Hell for the Living” for International Workers Memorial Day on April 28

“Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living! “Mother Jones

ADAO joins individuals, trade unions, and organizations around the world for International Workers Memorial Day on April 28, 2019 for those who have been injured or killed on the job For decades, unions and NGOs like The Hazard Campaign and AFL-CIO have commemorated this important day with activities and awareness events around the world where people are uniting, taking a stand, and making sure their voices are heard.

AFL-CIO said, “On April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO observe Workers’ Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew the fight for safe jobs. It is a day where working people come together to call for action on hazards that cause unnecessary injury, illness and death. We will stand united against the ongoing attacks on workers’ rights and protections and demand that elected officials put workers’ well-being above corporate interests.”

The Hazards Campaign has produced a variety of Workers’ Memorial Day resources to support unions and activists with their April 28 event planning including stickers, posters, purple ribbons, high-visibility WMD jackets, and a new poster for #IWMD19.

According to the World Health Organization, “125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at the workplace.” Armed with the facts, we know that knowledge is stronger than asbestos. Through our continued efforts to prevent exposure to asbestos including our recent Asbestos Awareness Week April 1-7 and the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbesto Now Act of 2019 (ARBAN)– we hope to prevent the needless deaths of individuals both in and out of the workplace.

With support from the Hazard Campaign, AFL-CIO, the American Public Health Association (APHA) and 11 other public health and occupational safety organizations, ADAO is confident in ARBAN’s success and an asbestos free future for workers across America.

To follow the conversation online, follow the hashtag #IWMD19. You can also help by signing the petition to ban asbestos now without any loopholes or exemptions, and keep workers safe from the dangers of asbestos.

In solidarity,

Linda Reinstein
Social Networks

ADAO Joins Forces to “Pray for the Dead and Fight Like Hell for the Living” for International Workers Memorial Day on April 28