Workers Memorial Day: Speak Out for Safe Jobs

Workers Memorial Day will have a special focus this year on the threats facing mental health workers. In addition to events at construction sites and union halls on April 28, AFSCME will march at six treatment centers.

Workers Memorial Day, the anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, is commemorated each year as a day to remember those killed or injured at work and to renew the call for workplace safety.

This year, AFSCME has organized demonstrations to protest management’s lack of action on the assaults occurring on workers at state-run mental health facilities. See related story.

Here is a schedule of Workers Memorial Day events:

Monday, April 27

-Duluth: The Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body will hold its Workers Memorial Day starting at 7 a.m. with a solidarity breakfast in the Labor Temple, 2002 London Road. At 9:15 a.m., a tree planting will be held outside the Labor Temple to remember workers who died on the job in the past year.

Tuesday, April 28

-St. Peter: AFSCME members will march at the St. Peter Security Hospital, Minnesota Square Park, in downtown St. Peter from noon to 4 p.m.

-St. Paul: Building Trades unions will hold a ceremony at noon at the Workers Memorial Garden on the grounds of the state Capitol. JE Dunn and Mortenson have agreed to send workers from the State Capitol and Senate Office Building projects to attend. Laborers Local 563 will serve lunch following a brief program.

-Anoka: AFSCME members will march at Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center, 3301 Seventh Ave. N., from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

-Brainerd: AFSCME members will march at the Department of Human Services / Brainerd Campus, 16515 State Ave., from 4 to 5 p.m.

-Duluth: AFSCME members will march at DHS State Operated Community Services, Lake Ave. & Superior St., from 4:30 to 5 p.m.

-Moose Lake: AFSCME members will march at the Moose Lake Sex Offender Program, 1111 Minnesota Highway 73, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

-Willmar: AFSCME members will march outside the AFSCME Office at Plaza One Mall, 1305 S. First St., from 5 to 6 p.m.

-Apple Valley: The Dakota County Labor Assembly, the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation and members of the community will host a service from 6 to 6:30 p.m. at The Monument to Fallen Workers, Lebanon Cemetery, County Road 42 and Pilot Knob Road, Apple Valley. The event will include an honor guard, music, speakers and a moment of silence.

Wednesday, April 29

-Superior, WI: The Superior Federation of Labor will observe Workers’ Memorial Day with a breakfast and tree planting. The breakfast will be at Central Assembly of God Church, 3000 Hammond, starting at 7:30 a.m. and a tree will be planted following the meal at Heritage Park at 28th and Hammond.