Workers Memorial Day events planned throughout the state
Each year on Workers Memorial Day, April 28, working people throughout the world remember those who were hurt or killed on the job, and renew our struggle for safe workplaces.
Events are set for April 25 in Seattle and Everett, April 26 in Tumwater, April 27 at Western State Hospital (Lakewood) and Bellingham and April 28 in Spokane. The Workers Memorial event at the Department of Transportation took place April 4 in Olympia.
“Workers Memorial Day is a solemn but important time to reflect on the lives lost at worksites throughout Washington state,” said Jeff Johnson, President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. “
Although we’ve made great progress over the years in making workplaces safer, there is much more to be done. And we must remember, the progress we’ve made didn’t just happen because laws were passed. It happened because workers joined together and their unions organized and demanded action from their employers and government.”
Here’s the schedule of Worker Memorial Day events next week (more details at: http://www.thestand.org/?p=65892
SEATTLE — Wednesday, April 25 at 11:30 a.m. — Join the M.L. King County Labor Council and the University of Washington Dept. of Environmental & Occupational Research Sciences for a Workers Memorial Day commemoration to honor those who died from a work-related injury or illness in the past year in King County. It will be at the Lyceum Room, Husky Union Bldg., UW Seattle Campus.
EVERETT — Wednesday, April 25 at 5 p.m. — The Snohomish County Labor Council will hold its annual Workers Memorial Observance at the Workers Memorial in the Mission Courtyard at the corner of Wetmore and Pacific in Everett.
OLYMPIA/TUMWATER — Thursday, April 26 at 2 p.m. — The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries will conduct its annual commemoration at L&I’s central building, 7273 Linderson Way S.W. in Tumwater.
WESTERN STATE HOSPITAL - TACOMA/LAKEWOOD — Friday, April 27 at 11 a.m. — The Pierce County Central Labor Council will join WFSE/AFSCME Local 793 for their annual Workers Memorial Day observance on the grounds of Western State Hospital, 9601 Steilacoom Boulevard SW in Lakewood. All PCCLC affiliates are invited to join them for a complimentary BBQ, followed at Noon by speakers and a solemn reading of the names of the Pierce County workers who died in the last year.
BELLINGHAM — Friday, April 27 at Noon — The Northwest Washington Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO will conduct its annual Workers Memorial Day commemoration by the Workers Memorial Monument on the lawn of the Bellingham Library, 210 Central Ave.
SPOKANE — Saturday, April 28 at 11 a.m. — The Spokane Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO will host its 29th Annual Workers Memorial Day Ceremony in Mission Park in Spokane. The ceremony will be followed by a picnic.