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7th Workers Memorial Day Remembers

 Did You know, 15 workers are killed every day nationally… 

            This year marks the 36th anniversary of the enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the 17th year since the first Workers Memorial Day was observed on April 28, 1989. The National AFL-CIO started this day of mourning and remembrance to make the American Public aware of the tens of thousands of workers who have been killed and injured on the job and the need for worker protections and laws to enforce them.

          For decades, it was only the Unions that led the struggle for improved safety conditions on the job. It is only because of Unions that we have laws and protections that have made workplaces safer for all workers. Even though these laws have helped improve working conditions, the toll of workplace deaths and injuries remains enormous. In 2005, 4.4 million workers were injured, 5,500 were killed by traumatic injuries and an estimated 50,000 – 60,000 died from occupational diseases. It is a tragedy that these workers and their families live with everyday.

          Besides the emphasis to make the public and the local elected officials aware of how strongly we feel about the importance of workplace safety, this years Workers’ Memorial Day reminded everyone of the ever-increasing anti-union measures coming out of Washington that are reversing everything that we have fought for since long before OSHA. The fight to protect workers is getting harder every day as the Bush administration continues to be the corporate mouthpiece for business groups to roll back, block or stall needed job protections. Since President Bush has taken office, over 30 workplace safety rules have been slashed, he has slashed many workers safety and health training programs by 75% and has proposed even more, and he has cut all Federal departments dealing with worker safety and health issues by 65%.

By John Gentile- Business Agent CWA 1103, Westchester, N.Y.

 This is an article I found in; “The Eagle”, a monthly publication published by our Brothers and Sisters at CWA 1103 in Portchester, N.Y.

This is a true story….

         Back in the year, 1989, there was a Chief Steward who worked at 40 Washington Avenue, Greenberg, N.Y. The place was an I & R and Construction Garage. The steward’s name was, Gerry Horgan.  He was a father of two girls, 2 ½ years old and an infant at 6 months. He was only 34 years old. Back in August, 1989, the CWA members were mobilizing for the most vicious strike with the Bell System. Gerry was assigned to picket duty that day.

        The most important issue that the Union was fighting for was Healthcare. The Telephone Company wanted its employees to pay for part of the costs for healthcare. At that time, it was the popular practice for the big corporations to push on to their employees, but CWA said, “No Way”. The Union was standing firm with a small pay raise in lieu of benefits, because they believed that benefits are worth more than a raise.

        About 2 weeks into the “Strike of 1989”, Gerry was sent to the cable records building in Valhalla, N.Y. to help the girls there on the picket line, because they were having trouble with line breakers. There were being abused by “scabs” and non-union truck delivery drivers, who were intimidating the women on the line. Gerry and a few linemen went there to fortify the line. A day or two later at about 7:30 a.m., the daughter of a manager there tried to cross the line. Gerry asked her not to.  She then struck him with her car and he hit the windshield and tossed him 150 ft. He died the next day from his injuries.

        The members of CWA 1103 wear “Red” for two reasons; first for the solidarity of all CWA members on Thursdays, and in “Memory of Gerry” who gave his life for the struggle that we take for granted everyday. He was the only member of CWA to die while on strike. It could have been any member that day.

        Every August 15th, CWA 1103 goes to the site where Gerry was struck down and places a memorial wreath, and then all present process to the cemetery and hold a vigil there for him. Every year the Local holds a “Golf Tournament” in his name, and the proceeds go to help his family.

        We all take for granted what our members before struggled for. Every benefit, safety issue, raise, pension, healthcare, came from a struggle the Union went to battle for. Let’s all get together and organize ourselves for the next contract. We don’t want to loose what we have, and we could use a little more. What will be our cost for the struggle?   Are You ready to make the commitment?

  

Story told to me by- Joe Barca. V.P. for CWA 1103.

Steve Portoles- Steward of CWA local 9588 Indio, CA.

 

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