NYC Workers, Labor Leaders and Electeds Commemorate Workers’ Memorial Day

On Wednesday, April 28, the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) held a Workers’ Memorial Day event to honor those who have died or suffered injuries or illnesses (including COVID-19) while on the job, to recognize the sacrifices made by all essential workers on the front lines, and to renew the fight for strong safety and health protections.

At the event, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the groups were joined by representatives from RWDSU, NYSNA, CSEA, the Greater New York Labor Religion Coalition, Congressmember Grace Meng, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, State Senator Jessica Ramos, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, and NYC Councilmember Francisco Moya.

The group gathered across the street from Elmhurst Hospital, the “epicenter of the epicenter” of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers also urged the U.S. Senate to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which was passed in House last month with bipartisan support and which President Biden called for in his joint address on Wednesday night.

“We need to make sure we are doing everything we can to pass the PRO Act,” said Congressmember Grace Meng. “Our workers need more than applause, they need more than a hashtag. They need real, lifesaving legislation to be passed so that they too can go home safely to their families. They’ve risked so much to protect all of us, especially during this pandemic, and we will not rest until they are protected as well.”
The event closed with a reading of names of workers who died on the job over the past year. The full event is available to view below.