Summary
Highlights
Mine Safety and Health Administration Assistant Secretary Christopher Williamson thanks Tanya Ford and highlights the profound impact of the day. He shares his personal connection to mining communities and the loss associated with workplace accidents, reiterating MSHA's commitment to worker safety and the ongoing efforts to reduce fatalities, including the recent silica rule to prevent occupational illnesses.
The ceremony begins with Tanya Ford, OSHA's National Family Liaison, welcoming attendees and highlighting the significance of the event. The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard presents the nation's colors, followed by a performance of the national anthem by the DC Labor Chorus, setting a solemn tone for remembrance.
Tanya Ford shares her personal connection as a family member of a fallen worker and underscores the tragic reality of approximately 15 workers dying daily from work-related incidents. She emphasizes that each lost worker is more than a statistic, representing cherished roles as family members and individuals with unfulfilled dreams, stressing that their loved ones will never be forgotten.
OSHA Assistant Secretary Doug Parker acknowledges the families present, including Nikita Odum and Vinnie Beth, and reflects on the difficulty of contemplating loss. He discusses the inadequacy of economic analyses in measuring human pain and highlights three key takeaways from family stories: workers often foresee risks, families feel isolated after loss, and many desire to promote change. He urges continuous advocacy for safer workplaces, drawing inspiration from Senator Paul Wellstone's message on social change.
Acting Secretary Julie Su delivers a video message, emphasizing Workers Memorial Day as a time to remember those lost and support their families. She reveals that 5,486 workers died in 2022, with disproportionately high fatality rates among Black and Latino workers. Su pledges the Department of Labor's commitment to cultural change, making health and safety a core value, and empowering workers to raise concerns.
Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO, expresses her honor to represent 12.5 million working people and condemns senseless worker deaths. She highlights the annual 'Toll of Neglect' report, detailing how corporate greed and negligence lead to fatalities, especially among Black and Latino workers. Shuler commends the Biden administration's efforts but calls for stronger deterrence, increased resources, and worker-centric laws, noting that unionized states have lower fatality rates.
Cecil Roberts, International President of the United Mine Workers of America, shares his 53 years of experience and personal loss, emphasizing the importance of remembering fallen workers. He recounts the Farmington mine disaster of 1968, which, unlike past tragedies, sparked nationwide outrage due to television coverage, leading to the landmark 1969 legislation empowering federal oversight and recognizing black lung as an occupational illness. Roberts stresses the power of bereaved families as advocates for change, citing historical figures like John Lewis and Eleanor Roosevelt.
A video segment features powerful testimonials from family members. Adriana Crawford, Wendy Shirelles, and Rena Harrington share their profound sorrow and recount the preventable nature of their loved ones' deaths. Their stories highlight the devastating impact of workplace incidents and the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures and support systems, emphasizing the importance of turning grief into advocacy for change.
The DC Labor Chorus performs 'We Remember You,' a song dedicated to the family and friends of fallen workers. Written by their music director Steve Jones in honor of a family member lost on the job, the emotional performance reinforces the ceremony's theme of remembrance and the enduring impact of these losses, assuring that their sacrifices will not be forgotten.
Stacey Sebald, an 'amazing mother' from Wisconsin, shares the tragic story of her son, Mitchell, who died at 19 in an agricultural incident due to lack of training and negligence. She reveals that his death, like many others, was not investigated by OSHA due to an appropriations act exemption for small farms. Sebald passionately calls for the repeal of this 'absurd' exemption, emphasizing that no employer should get a free pass for a fatality and advocating for collective action to ensure all workers return home safely.
Chaplain Kimberly Willis leads a benediction, fostering a sense of community among attendees and urging them to seek strength in unity. The ceremony concludes with final remarks, thanking all participants and reinforcing the message that families are not alone. A call to action is made for employees, employers, and laborers to prioritize safety, making a collective commitment to ensure every worker returns home safely.