USMWF.ORG  - United Support & Memorial For Workplace  Fatalities

 

Web www.usmwf.org



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[History Of  Workers Memorial Day]  [Poems] [Affiliates] [Events]  [SAGO]  

History of  Workers Memorial Day

A day of morning and remembrance of our lost loved ones.  We reminisce and grieve our loved ones throughout the year but there is some recognition and acknowledgement of those lost at work on April 28th.  Canada adopted the “Day of Mourning” Bill C-223 in 1989 making them the first to observe a workers memorial day. After the Canadian movement the AFL-CIO as the national day adopted April 28th for Workers Memorial Day because it was the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration's anniversary date.  Most recognize this day as an International Day of Mourning so as to acknowledge the injured along with the death of workers.

Being individuals that have lost a loved one to a workplace death we found there was no refuge.   So we decided there needed to be a place for everyone to go for support and a united memorial for all workplace deaths.  Thus we started United Support & Memorial For Workplace Fatalities (USMWF).  United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities (USMWF) was formed to achieve support for individuals, companies and other organizations dealing with the repercussions of a workers death and the prevention there of. Our guiding principles are: collaborating with others to ensure our goals and objectives are accomplished with compassion and knowledge.

 

We are in the hopes that each state capital will gain a workers memorial and read of the names of workers killed on the job in that state on April 28th.   We lost 5,703 workers in 2004 so gaining awareness of this issue is a must; we need new laws and regulations to protect workers and their families.

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Events

 

What are affiliates are doing

Betsy Shonkwiler will be attending Workers Memorial Day Event PA, NJ & DE see flyer for details.

Mary Vivenzi Workers Memorial Day Sacramento Rally in CA  see flyer for details.

Worker’s Memorial Day & dedication ceremony  in KY  see site for details.

Worker’s Memorial Day & dinner in WI see flyer for details.

Workers Memorial Day NYC see flyer.

Worker’s Memorial Day Event 6:00 am at Washington Park in Groton, CT at 6:00 at Washington Park

and Hartford, CT at state Capital at 10:00. You can contact the CT ST AFL-CIO @ 860-571-6191 for more info & directions. 

WMD Events around the world complements of HAZARDS MAGAZINE

Nobody should be in his shoes Hazards WMD poster 2006 (get your 2006 poster)

The KPFA radio show will be interviewing injured worker Barbara Clark, Dr. Larry Rose, the last doctor who just retired at CA-OSHA and Steve Zeltzer of the California Coalition For Workers Memorial Day site . The show will be on Friday April 21, 2006 at 2:30 PM PST on KPFA 94.1 FM. It will also be on the internet at site RSS . This show is also available as a Podcast.

 

Watch for the COSH news release!  Update! 

Contact your local COSH group to get involved in local WMD events! 

 

The National Council on Occupational Health and Safety [National COSH] will release a new report on Tuesday 4/25/06 “Workplace Health and Safety Dirty Dozen Report”. The report, the first of its kind, details examples of the tragic consequences of workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses for both workers and their families. The release of the report coincides with the annual Workers Memorial Day on April 28, which marks the beginning of OSHA and remembers those workers killed, hurt or made ill on the job.

This past year has brought workplace tragedies to many, including The Sago Mine Disaster [12 dead] and BP Oil Refinery explosion [15 dead]. But on average, 16 workers are killed every day in the U.S. with little notice.  The report highlights families of workplace victims, who will be available for follow-up interviews

Post your comments on PHILAPOSH


 

*I will add them as they come and after the WMD we will remove the info (inserting it here) and add an update.*


Coming soon Car Ribbon Magnets  Details Soon! 

Yep that's it, Car Magnets, too many of you have requested it to ignore it any longer.


CSB, Sago & Scaffolding collapse video! 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Events Held For Our Fallen Workers

Gathering remembers fallen workers
Mankato Free Press - Mankato,MN,USA

Caltrans pays tribute to employees lost on the job
KGET 17 - Bakersfield,CA,USA

Overseas Press Club Honors Journalist Killed Covering Iraq
New York Times - United States

Vermonters Observe Workers Memorial Day
WCAX - Burlington,VT,USA
Union leaders and lawmakers honor those who died on the job
Hagerstown Morning Herald - Hagerstown,MD,USA

Ceremony honors those killed on the job in nation's workplaces
Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Pittsburgh,PA,USA

Workers who died on jobs honored
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Rochester,NY,USA

Iowans pay tribute to fallen employees
DesMoinesRegister.com - Des Moines,IA,USA

Advocates urge worker protection
Boston Herald - United States

Vigil honors workers who died
Quad City Times - Davenport,IA,USA

Memorial service to honor workers
Akron Beacon Journal - Akron,OH,USA

Fallen Workers Honored On Worker's Memorial Day
CBS4Boston - Boston,USA

This can be changed: Too many die on the job
Arizona Daily Star - Tucson,AZ,USA
My Turn: Remember Workers Memorial Day
BurlingtonFreePress.com - Burlington,VT,USA

Worker Memorial Day Honors Those Killed on the Job in North Dakota
ILCA Online - Washington D.C.,USA

Remembering those who died in the workplace
York Dispatch - York,PA,USA

Workers Memorial Day: Unions Focusing on Coal Mining
Occupational Hazards - Cleveland,OH,USA

Workers' memorial
Patriot-News - Harrisburg,PA,USA

EMPHASIZE WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY
ILCA Online - Washington D.C.,USA

Mourn for the Dead, Fight for the Living
Yahoo! News - USA

Guest Opinion: Montana must do more for worker safety
Billings Gazette - MT, USA

Labor and Industries pauses to honor fallen workers
The Olympian - Olympia,WA,USA

Workers killed on job to be honored
The Journal News.com - Westchester,NY,USA

No progress in worker safety in 20 years, ceremony told
Brockville Recorder and Times - Ontario, Canada

Transportation workers honor those who died on the job
The Olympian - Olympia,WA,USA

Construction Workers Saluted This Week
BYU Newsnet - Provo,UT,USA

It's Work Zone Awareness Week
Salt Lake Tribune - United States
"Union Workplaces “Safer Workplaces! 28 April 2006 is ...
Union Network International - Nyon,Switzerland

 

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Poems

Flags half-staff for the working brave!

*If you would like to add a poem and/or a tribute just let us know.*


Trench

by Tammy Miser (2006)

In Memory of  the many lives lost in trenches

 

Children gaze in excitement as a structure is made.

Chuckling they see the many hands as they wave.

With out a shore the dark walls begin to cave.

Many escape with still one body to save.

A hazardous rescue, prayers and shovel they gave.

Little did he know he was digging his own grave!



Shawn Duane Boone

by Tammy Miser (2003)

In memory of my Brother

 

They keep asking me how I am,

He was a great brother, uncle, son and man.

They continue telling me he’s in no pain,

But he’s still my little Shawn Duane.

They say if I need anything-just call,

I need my brother before I fall.

They pronounce he’s with the Angels and has God’s grace.

He should be with us that’s really his place!

They say he did not die alone, take comfort in that!

How can I, where is he at?

They say he was a good friend, always giving a hand.

I’m fearful where my heart might land.

They declare some good will  come, it’s fate, 

a reason and  that’s the way it’s to be.

There is nothing momentous that I can see!

They utter remember the good times you had.

I miss him so very bad!

They state he's with you mind, soul and heart.

I can't bear being this far apart!



Golden Gate Angel

by Mary M Vivenzi (2002)

In memory of Kevin Noah who fell to his death working on the GG Bridge

 

My Golden Gate Angel Angel, 

You've fallen from above.
Can you tell me did it hurt,
When you hit the ground my love.
Did you somehow hurt your wing,
So you simply couldn't fly.
Or was there something more to it,
Tell me love Tell me why.
I knew you were an angel,

From the moment I saw your face.
But I never thought you'd leave me,
And without a single trace.
You and I had something special,
That I thought would never end
The Golden Gate Angel,
Was my lover and my friend.
I know love we were meant to be,
And I know the reasons why.
Still I'll never understand.
How god's plan required you to die.
Now alone I'm left to wonder,
Why my angel couldn't fly.



Untitled

by Unknown

In memory of Morillo, Juan Pablo

 

"Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. 

 I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glint on snow.

 I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn's rain.  

When you awaken in the mornings hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. 

 I am the soft star that shines at night.  

Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die."



And God Said...

by Unknown

In Memory of  William Henry Nichols

 

I said, "God, I hurt."

And God said, "I know."

I said, "God, I cry alot"

And God said, "That is why I give you tears."

I said, "God, I am so depressed."

And God said, "That is why I give you Sunshine."

I said, "God life is so hard."

And God said, "That is why I give you loved ones"

I said, "God my love one died."

And God said, "So did mine."

I said, "God, it is such a loss."

And God said, "I saw my son nailed to a cross."

I said, " God but your loved one lives."

And God said, "So does yours."

I said, "God, where are they now?"

And God said, "Mine is on MY right and your ‘DAD’ is in the Light."

I said, "God, it hurts."

And God said, "I know."



Untitled

by Kelly Heilert (2004)

In memory of Scott Heilert

 

A shadow of joy flickered; it is me.
I told you I wouldn't leave..
My spirit is with you.
My memories, my thoughts are
imbedded deep in your heart.
I still love you.
Do not for one moment think
that you have been abandoned.
I am in the Light.

In the corner, in the hall,
the car, the yard --
these are the places I stay with you.
My spirit rises every time
you pray for me,
but my energy comes closer to you.
Love does not diminish,
it grows stronger.

I am the feather that
finds you in the yard,
the dimmed light that grows
brighter in your mind,
I place our memories for you to see.
We lived in our special way,
a way that now has its focus changed.
I still crave your understanding and
long for the many words of prayer
and good fortune for my soul.
I am in the Light.

As you struggle to adjust without me,
I watch silently.
Sometimes I summon up all the strength of
my new world to make you notice me.
Impressed by your grief,
I try to impress my love deeper
into your consciousness.
As you should,
I call out to the Heavens for help.
You should know that the
fountain of youth does exist.
My soul is now healthy.
Your love sends me new found energy.
I am adjusting to this new world.
I am with you and I am in the Light.

Please don't feel bad
that you can't see me.
I am with you wherever you go.
I protect you, just as you
protected me so many times.
Talk to me and somehow I will find
a way to answer you.
Mother, father, son or daughter
it makes no difference.
Brother, sister, lover, husband or wife,
it makes no difference.
Whatever our connection-friend or
even foe-I see you with my new eyes.
I am learning to help wherever you are,
wherever I am needed.
This can be done because I am in the Light.

When you feel despair, reach out to me.
I will come.
Our love for you truly does
transcend from Heaven to Earth.
Finish your life with the enthusiasm and zest
that you had when we were
together in the physical sense. You owe this to me,
but more importantly,
you owe it to yourself.
Life continues for both of us.
I am with you because I love you
and I am in the Light.



I REMEMBER 

by Erin Elizabeth Sperrey (1999)

In memory of Sperrey, Erin Elizabeth

 

I remember the day the news came to me.
Sitting in my room,
The phone rings.
The voice in the other end is shaky and disturbing.
All I can hear is sobbing,
Finally the voice begind to speak,
Hoarse and nervous.
The words uttered softly,
"He is dead"
I begin to scream and cry,
The breath is taken from my chest.
I fall to the floor.
When I awake I ask,
"Is it true?"
"Is he gone?"
My worst nightmare is confirmed.
I remember the day the news came to me.

 

mesothelioma


Copyright © United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities - USMWF.ORG, INC. 2007 (formally USMWF LLC 2003)    

On March, 2008 USMWF.ORG, INC  was officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service. 
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Last updated: May 02, 2008
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