Mourn for the dead, fight like hell for the living!

This post is written by Ron Kaminkow of Railroad Workers United and came to us through the World Federation of Trade Unions website. It was written prior to Workers Memorial Day, commemorated on April 28, but it makes some important and lasting points about workers health and safety in the railroad industry. This post does not represent the opinions of the Marion-Polk-Yamhill Central Labor Chaptewr or the Oregon AFL-CIO.

Every year on April 28th, workers across the United States and the world recognize Workers Memorial Day to honor, remember, and call for action on behalf of our friends and allies killed, injured, or made ill on the job. Far too many of us who labor across industries have been subject to workplace hazards that can kill or permanently disable us. It is our right to go to work and know we will come home safely to our family and loved ones.

While worker fatalities on the railroad are down in recent years, we are still subject to management-led policies like PSR, "High-Viz" attendance, and long and heavy trains that spur unsafe working conditions. And we don't need to remind railroaders that, during this pandemic, working people like us have and are falling from preventable deaths. "Essential workers" — including nurses and doctors, grocery store staff, and transportation workers — have been on the front lines for over two years, and will continue to show up. The nation (rightly) calls us heroes, but heroes deserve a real investment by management in truly safe working conditions, and in worker-centered policies that protect us over profits.

This Workers Memorial Day, we remember those who have sacrificed their lives and health while performing their duties. We will never stop fighting for a healthy and safe workplace environment.

In the words of the famous labor union organizer "Mother" Mary Harris Jones, we must always remember to "Mourn for the dead, and fight like hell for the living!"

Ron Kaminkow
RWU Trustee
secretary@railroadworkersunited.org

twitter tag: #WorkersMemorialDay

Labor Leaders, Elected Officials, Faith Leaders to Honor Oregon Workers Who Lost Their Lives on the Job in 2023

MEDIA ADVISORY

APRIL 23, 2024


Labor Leaders, Elected Officials, Faith Leaders to Honor Oregon Workers Who Lost Their Lives on the Job in 2023


On Friday, April 26, local workers, elected leaders, union officials and workplace safety advocates will gather at ceremonies in Portland and Salem to mark Workers Memorial Day, remembering workers who have died or suffered illness or injuries while on the job. Families of fallen workers are expected to attend and speakers for the event (listed below) include labor leaders, elected officials, faith leaders, and workplace safety advocates.

Event Details (Portland)
What: Workers Memorial Day Ceremony
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 9:30am
Location: Behind Portland Fire and Rescue Station 21 on the Eastbank Esplanade,
5 SE Madison St, Portland, OR 97214

Speakers include:
Christina Stephenson, Oregon Labor Commissioner
State Representative Dacia Grayber
Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO President
Karl Koening, Oregon State Firefighters Council President
Laurie Wimmer, Northwest Oregon Labor Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Issac McLennon, IAFF Local 43 President
Reverend Mark Knutson, Augustina Luthern Church

Event Details (Salem)
What: Workers Memorial Day Ceremony
Date: Friday, April 26, 2024
Time: 12:00pm
Location: Fallen Worker Memorial, Oregon State Capitol Mall
350 Winter St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Speakers include:
State Senator Deb Patterson
House Majority Leader Ben Bowman
Vince Porter, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Governor Tina Kotek
Renée Stapleton, Administrator, Oregon OSHA
Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO President
Liz Marquez Gutierrez, Political Organizer, PCUN
Reverend Rick Davis, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem

Media representatives are encouraged to attend and cover this significant event. Interviews with union representatives and participating workers will be available upon request. For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Russell Sanders, Oregon AFL-CIO Communications Director
(503) 23201195 ext. 314 / russell@oraflcio.org

###

The Oregon AFL-CIO is the statewide federation of labor unions, representing over 300,000 working Oregonians and 288 affiliated local unions. Oregon AFL-CIO affiliates represent workers in every sector of the economy in communities across the state. Learn more at www.oraflcio.org

Earth Day 2024 and Workers Memorial Day---Labor Radio & Gatherings in Oregon

The Oregon labor movement is blessed to have Sister Tina Turner-Morfitt in our front ranks. Sister Turner-Morfitt is President of the Oregon Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, an activist with AFSCME retirees, a leader in the Marion-Polk-Yamhill Central Labor Chapter. and a primary person in labor radio in our state. Sister Turner-Morfitt sent in the following press release.

Earth Day 2024: A cooperative effort to save the planet. A review of a growing mutual respect between organized labor and the environmental community.

In acknowledgement of Earth Day a special tribute will broadcast on KBOO Radio on April 22, 202 at 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The theme will reflect how organized labor has transitioned to reflect a common
ground concept to ensuring strong labor standards while also exploring renewable energy projects and exploring responsible approaches to climate change. The episode will feature 2 guest, Jim Gourley, my labor historian, and Rory Cowal, a volunteer with Divest Oregon.

Brother Gourley is a United Steelworker millwright associated with Local 1189 Cascade Pacific Pulp in Halsey Oregon. I’ve invited Brother Gourley to give a brief historical synopsis focusing on the transformation of the relationship between organized labor and the environmental community. Brother
Gourley also reflects that other legislation was passed during the 2024 legislative session that couple the efforts of organized labor and the environmental community. Please consult the Oregon AFL-CIO webpage for more information at https://www.oraflcio.org/

Rory Cowal, a Divest Oregon volunteer, and a member of Portland State University Faculty Association union. During the regular session of the Oregon State Legislature, Brother Cowal supported and testified on House Bill 4083, The COAL ACT. I’ve invited him to briefly discuss this legislation. Brother Cowal gives a brief introduction about Divest Oregon and issues an invitation for interested parties to join their efforts. For more information please visit their website: https://www.divestoregon.org/.

Check out the KBOO website to listen to the broadcast: https://kboo.fm/media/117754-labor-radio

The show closes with an honorable mention of April 26, 2024 Workers Memorial Day tribute sponsored by the Oregon AFL- CIO. There are two ceremonies:

9:30 am: Eastbank Esplanade besides Portland Fire and
Rescue Station 21

12:00 noon: Fallen Worker Memorial on the Oregon State
Capital Mall

The ceremonies will include the reading of the names of 56 workers who lost their lives across the state while performing their jobs. Join families, friends, workplace safety advocates, elected officials and faith leaders in paying respect to these workers.

RSVP here.

Some important upcoming labor events! (Please scroll down for more.)

Saturday April 13, 2024 at 10:00AM | Meet at the Oregon Labor Center in Portland: Join Oregon Labor to kick off election season at a canvass for Willy Chotzen. Chotzen is a former AFSCME member who is running for State Representative in House District 46. Coffee, lunch and training provided.

WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY

On Friday, April 26, the Oregon AFL-CIO will hold two ceremonies to commemorate Workers Memorial Day and honor the 56 workers from throughout the state who lost their lives while doing their jobs in 2023.

We hope that you will be able to join us for these important events.

At 9:30am, we will gather with the Oregon State Firefighters Council, the Northwest Oregon Labor Council, IAFF Local 43, elected officials and faith leaders in Portland on the Eastbank Esplanade beside Portland Fire and Rescue Station 21.

At noon, we will hold a ceremony at the Fallen Worker Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol Mall where we will be joined by workplace safety advocates, elected officials, and faith leaders.

If you plan on attending an event, please click here to RSVP.

MAY DAY: TWO EVENTS

* May Day - Dia Internacional del Trabajor - at Salem Capitol. Join PCUN and community organizations for a powerful celebration of International Workers' Day on May 1st! We will gather at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem for a day of impactful community speeches, vital resource booths, and a mighty march around the Capitol Block. Let's unite and demonstrate our deep appreciation for the hardworking and dedicated individuals who keep our society moving forward. The year 2023 marked a significant milestone for workers' rights, and we are determined to carry that momentum forward into 2024 and beyond with unwavering determination.

Let's continue to build our collective power and advocate fiercely for the rights and well-being of workers everywhere. 12Noon at the Salem Capitol. Event page here: https://fb.me/e/4W1lh0WVZ

* Portland DSA May Day Mania. On to the General Strike, 2028. Celebrate International Workers Day! View a livestream of UAW's Shawn Fain calling for a General Strike, May Day 2028 for the 32 hour week (and the 8 hour day!) Get a reportback from Portland's delegation to the Labor Notes conference. Speakers from recent local labor struggles. Live music. No-host food & drinks. All ages. A fundraiser for DSA's Labor Solidarity Fund.

Wed, May 1 starting at 8pm
Double Mountain Brewery, Overlook Taproom (1700 N Killingsworth St)
RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/may-day-mania-on-to-the-general-strike-2028/