Pennsylvania Workers to Join National Observance of Workers' Memorial Day Remembering Workers Killed or Injured Due to Unsafe Working Conditions and Calling for Stronger Laws and Enforcement to Protect Workers
HARRISBURG, Pa., April 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania workers will be observing Workers' Memorial Day next week at events across Pennsylvania, (see attached schedule of events), as part of a nationwide and worldwide observance to draw attention to death and injuries caused by unsafe working conditions and showing their support for safer jobs.
April 28th is designated Workers Memorial Day by the AFL-CIO to remember the victims of unsafe working conditions and to advocate for stronger protections and improved enforcement to protect working families.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The Act – which guarantees every American worker a safe and healthful working environment - created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to set and enforce standards and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to conduct research and investigations. It also marks the 41st anniversary of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act
Since 1970, workplace safety and health conditions have improved. More than 410,000 workers can now say that their lives have been saved since the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. But as recently witnessed by the tragic deaths of 29 miners at the Massey Energy West Virginia coal mine disaster; the death of six workers at the Tesoro Refinery explosion in Washington State a few days earlier; and the Kleen Energy explosion in Middletown, Connecticut in February that also claimed six lives; working men and women remain in danger.
The Obama Administration 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 OSH Act that must be addressed through Congressional action.
The Protecting America's Workers Act (H.R. 2067, S.1580) would extend OSHA coverage to all workers, strengthen anti-discrimination protections, increase civil and criminal penalties 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.
Note: The Workers' Memorial Day events in Pennsylvania next week will include dramatic visual opportunities for still and video photographers.
Workers' Memorial Day 2010 |
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Pennsylvania Events |
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Allegheny County Labor Council, United Steelworkers, The Labor and Religion Coalition of Western Pennsylvania, and the Washington/Greene County Labor Council Workers' Memorial Day Ceremony |
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DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 12:00 Noon |
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PLACE: |
Mellon Square, Downtown Pittsburgh |
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SPEAKERS: |
Richard Trumka, President, AFL-CIO |
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Richard Bloomingdale, President-Elect, PA AFL-CIO |
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Jack Shea, President, Allegheny County Labor Council, AFL-CIO |
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Rich Stanizzo, Business Manager, Pitts. Regional Building and Construction Trades Council |
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CONTACTS: |
Jack Shea, President, (412)-281-7450 |
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Butler County Central Labor Council and United Way of Butler County First Annual Workers' Memorial Day Blood Drive |
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DATE/TIME: |
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
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PLACE: |
Army National Guard |
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250 Kriess Road, Butler, PA 16001 Classroom 120 |
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SPEAKERS: |
Jim Watta, Pa Labor Education Center, Indiana Univ. of PA at 3:00 PM |
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CONTACT: |
Donna Weckerly, Secretary, UAW local 3303, (724) 284-2949 |
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NOTE: |
To schedule your life saving appointment log on to: |
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www.centralbloodbank.org and enter sponsor code C571 or |
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contact Donna Weckerly. |
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Erie/Crawford Central Labor Councils Workers' Memorial Day Service |
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DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 6:00 PM |
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PLACE: |
Erie Municipal Bldg, Council Chambers |
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626 State Street, Erie, PA |
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SPEAKERS: |
Richard Bloomingdale, President-Elect, PA AFL-CIO |
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John Tretter, Vice President, Erie/Crawford CLC |
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Jim Pifer, President, UE local 506 |
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Phil Fatica, Erie County Council |
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CONTACT: |
Matt McLaughlin, IBEW Local 56, (814) 835-6988 |
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Harrisburg Region Central Labor Council and Pennsylvania Federation of Injured Workers Workers' Memorial Day Ceremonies |
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DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 8:00 AM |
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EVENT: |
Workers' Memorial Day Breakfast |
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PLACE: |
I. W. Abel Hall (United Steelworkers Local 1688 Hall) |
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200 Gibson Street, Steelton, PA |
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SPEAKERS: |
(TBA) |
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CONTACT: |
David Gash, President, Hbg. Region Labor Council, (717) 561-7830 |
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DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 10:00 AM |
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EVENT: |
Memorial Service |
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PLACE: |
Labor's Grove, Riverfront Workers' Memorial Monument |
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300 S. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA |
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SPEAKERS: |
(TBA) |
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CONTACT: |
David Gash, President, Hbg. Region Labor Council, (717) 561-7830 |
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DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 11:30 AM |
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EVENT: |
Pa. Federation of Injured Workers Press Conference |
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PLACE: |
State Capitol Rotunda, Main Capitol |
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SPEAKERS: |
(TBA) |
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CONTACT: |
Dennis Straub, (888) 376-7942 |
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Indiana, Armstrong/Clarion County Central Labor Council and Clarion Young Democrats 2nd Annual Workers' Memorial Day Observance |
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DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 11:30 AM |
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EVENT: |
Memorial Day Observance |
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PLACE: |
Clarion House Bed and Breakfast |
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77 South Seventh Ave, Clarion, PA 16214 |
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SPEAKERS (invited): |
Auditor General Jack Wagner, candidate for Governor |
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CONTACT: |
Christopher Katella, President, Clarion Young Democrats, |
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E-mail: [email protected] |
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Greater Johnstown Regional Central Labor Council 21st Annual Workers' Memorial Banquet |
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DATE/TIME: |
Friday, April 30, 2010 at 6:00 PM |
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EVENT: |
Memorial Banquet and Announcement of Essay Contest Winners |
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PLACE: |
Aces Lounge on Chestnut Street |
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SPEAKER: |
Don Faulkner, Health, Safety, and Environmental Dept., United |
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Steelworkers |
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Essay Contest Winners to be announced. Scholarship co-sponsors: |
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Cong. John Murtha; AmeriServe Financial; USW local 6521; and Cambria County Commissioners |
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CONTACT: |
Ernie Esposito, President, (814) 535-7621 |
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Lehigh Valley Workers' Memorial Ceremony |
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DATE/TIME: |
Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 1:00 PM |
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EVENT: |
Memorial Ceremony |
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PLACE: |
Lehigh Valley Workers' Memorial Monument, Bethlehem Rose Garden |
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8th Avenue and Union Blvd, Bethlehem, PA |
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CONTACT: |
John Werkheiser, Lehigh Valley Workers' Memorial Committee, |
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(610) 513-9969 |
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Philadelphia County Central Labor Council AFL-CIO Philadelphia Area Project on Occupational Safety and Health (Philaposh) 22nd Annual Workers' Memorial Day Breakfast and Memorial Service |
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DATE/TIME: |
Friday, April 30, 2010 – 8:30 AM, Registration – 9:00 AM, |
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Breakfast served |
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EVENT: |
Breakfast followed by procession to the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing for Memorial ceremony |
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PLACE: |
Sheet Metal Workers Hall, 1301 S. Columbus Blvd, |
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Philadelphia, PA 19147 |
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SPEAKERS: |
Celeste Montforton, former Inspector, Mine Safety and Health |
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Administration |
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Representative of OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor |
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CONTACT: |
Patrick Eiding, President, Phila. AFL-CIO, (215) 665-9800 |
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Barbara Rahke, Director, Philaposh, (215) 386-7000 |
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United Labor Council of Reading & Berks County, AFL-CIO United Steelworkers Local 6996 Workers' Memorial Day Observance |
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DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM |
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EVENT: |
Workers' Memorial Day Observance |
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PLACE: |
Workers Memorial at Heritage Park, |
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Sixth and Canal Streets, Reading, PA |
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SPEAKERS: |
(TBA) |
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CONTACT: |
G. Fred Shaeff, Jr. President, Reading/ Berks Council (610) 374-2725 |
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York/Adams County Central Labor Council Workers' Memorial Day Observance |
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DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 6:00 PM |
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EVENT: |
Workers' Memorial Day Service |
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PLACE: |
Kiwanis Lake, (near flagpole), York, PA |
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SPEAKER: |
(TBA) |
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CONTACT: |
Clarke Ruppert, Jr. President, York/Adams CLC, (717) 764-0537 – |
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717-683-7793 |
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Kittie Hake, Teamsters local 776, (717) 843-8911 |
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Contact: James Deegan 717-231-2867 or the contacts listed for the event.
SOURCE Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
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