Workers Memorial Day Remarks

Fred Redmond, USW International Vice President - Human Affairs

April 28, 2010

Good morning. Today we gather to honor the lives of our sisters and brothers who paid the ultimate sacrifice doing what all of us take great pride in doing every day - working.

Every year on this day we honor our fellow union brothers and sisters. Every year on this day we renew our pledge to keep fighting to improve health and safety conditions on the job so that hopefully, one day, the list of names we read will be empty.

But this year, especially, we're reminded that our work is far from done. Sadly, the list is once again far too long. The number of workplace accidents is still far too great.

Since Workers' Memorial Day last year, we've lost 34 Steelworkers. Many more have been injured on the job. Nationwide, thousands of workers have died this year because of occupational injuries or diseases.

Today we gather here to remember our fallen members. And we gather here to give them the ultimate honor: our vow that we will keep fighting like hell so that their deaths and injuries are not in vain.

This union - with every ounce of its being - is working day and night for justice and more importantly, for solutions so that we never again have tragedies like the awful explosion at Tesoro, the mine accident in West Virginia and each and every one of the deadly incidents that took the lives of our sisters and brothers.

There's some good news. Since 1970, workplace safety and health conditions have improved. More than 410,000 workers' lives have been saved since the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. We should be proud of this.

But many workers remain in serious danger, as we know all too well.

Eight years of neglect and inaction by the Bush Administration seriously eroded safety and health protections:

• Major hazards were not addressed.
• The job safety budget was cut.
• Voluntary compliance replaced strong enforcement. In the absence of strong government oversight and enforcement, many employers cut back their safety and health efforts.
• Penalties for serious and willful violations remained weak - even in cases where workers were killed or injured.

The Obama Administration has given us hope. President Obama has increased the job safety budget, is stepping up enforcement and moving on much needed standards, including rules on silica, cranes and derricks, infectious diseases and coal dust.

But there are weaknesses in the law that must be addressed through Congressional action.

Unlike most other federal safety laws, the Occupational Safety and Health Act hasn't been updated since 1970.

One vehicle to change this is the Protecting America's Workers Act (H.R. 2067, S. 1580). This bill would:

• Extend OSHA coverage to all workers
• Strengthen anti-discrimination protections
• Increase civil and criminal penalties on employers for job safety violations, and
• Enhance worker and union rights.

In the wake of the Massey mine disaster Congress is examining whether there are deficiencies in the Mine Safety and Health Act that need to be addressed.

Our union will be there during these legislative fights - pushing for progress and speaking up for all workers - dead and alive. That's what we do, what we've always done. And now more than ever, we need to lead the good fight.

Sisters and brothers, we will do it because the list of names we're reading today is far too long. And we will do it because these aren't just names. These are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, fiancés, neighbors, friends. These are our family members - our union sisters and brothers.

We will do it to honor family like those killed in Washington State at the Tesoro tragedy:

• Lew Janz - just 41 years old - a longtime USW member who became a supervisor beloved by all. An Iraqi War veteran, husband and father, Janz was known for his bright smile and generous heart.
• 31-year-old Matthew Bowen, a young man described as a big-soul who was a wonderful husband and father.
• 43-year-old Darrin Hoines, a family man and Christian brother known for his practical jokes.
• 50-year-old Daniel Aldridge, a devoted family man who enjoyed volunteering, coaching basketball and being Dad to Matt and Alexandra.
• 36-year-old Donna Van Dreumel, a devoted wife and mother, described by colleagues as always cheerful and funny.
• Kathryn Powell -- just 29 years old, "K.D." as she was known, loved her job, loved cooking and loved people.
• Matt Gumbel, a 34-year-old Tesoro refinery worker who lost his brave battle just a few days ago when he died from his terrible injuries.

We do it for the 29 miners killed in West Virginia, where like too many corporate chiefs, the owner of that Massey Energy mine has a record of thumbing his nose at workplace safety in the name of profits.

We do it for all the 34 Steelworkers who lost their lives this year and every single worker still blessed to have breath.

This is what family does for family.

Let's get started right away. After we're finished with this memorial service today, get in touch with your members of Congress and urge them to support and co-sponsor the Protecting America's Workers Act to provide all workers the safety and health protections they need and deserve. There's more information about this on our web site: www.usw.org.

Thank you and God Bless.