Labor & Community Gather to Remember Triangle Fire Victims

On Wednesday, representatives of labor, community groups and many others gathered at Washington Place and Greene Street in Greenwich Village to remember the 146 workers who perished in the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.

The event opened with selections from the NYC Labor Chorus, followed by a few selections from students at PS 361.

During a program MC'd by Workers United Secretary-Treasurer Edgar Romney, attendees heard from speakers including Workers United President Noel Beasley, NYS Acting Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, NYC CLC President Vincent Alvarez, and NYC CLC Secretary-Treasurer and UFT Academic High Schools VP Janella Hinds. Nail salon worker Gladis Calle and fast food worker Jorel Ware also spoke about the need for increased workplace safety standards.

NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer also spoke about the need for increased worker safety protections.

Workers, family members, and students ended the event by calling the names of the 146 victims, and laying flowers in their memory.

NYC CLC Secretary Treasurer Janella Hinds penned an op-Ed piece highlighting the continued fight for worker safety, and how today's workers can draw strength from a movement that began 105 years ago.