WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Pictured above, the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council held its annual Workers Memorial observance on Saturday (May 6th) at Reservoir Park in Niagara Falls, during which two United Steelworkers (USW) District 4 Officials delivered powerful messages to Elected Leaders “to stand with Labor,” pass new safety legislation and impose stiffer penalties on companies that do not comply with regulations that keep their Workers safe while on the job.  Niagara-Orleans Labor Council President Jim Briggs, who also serves as Sub-District Director of USW District 4, is pictured on the left.  David Wasiura, who serves as Assistant to the Director at USW District 4, is pictured on the right.  (WNYLaborToday.com Photos)

(NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK) – The Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Labor Council held its 2023 Workers Memorial Observation on Saturday (May 6th) at Reservoir Park in Niagara Falls where two United Steelworkers (USW) District 4 Leaders delivered a powerful message to Elected Leaders “to stand with Labor,” pass new and enhanced safety legislation and impose stiffer penalties on companies that do not comply.

Never one to mince words, Niagara-Orleans Labor Council President Jim Briggs (pictured below), who also serves as Sub-District Director of USW District 4, told those in attendance at the event: “We hear all the numbers (of those who have died while on the job) ‘every year.’  ‘Why does this (continue to) happen?’  ‘We have to fix this problem.’  And our Elected Officials ‘need to understand that (Organized Labor) is really frustrated’ (with their lack of movement on this issue).  There were Bills in the (New York State) Assembly and Senate that were - ‘by rumor, vetoed because it was said they were too expensive.’  ‘But what is the cost (for the life) of a Worker?’  They say (making those Bills law) ‘would have cost companies millions of dollars, but it is time to take care of our Workers.’  ‘We need real enforcement - otherwise it’s all bullshit.’  ‘People are dying because we’re worrying about it being too expensive’?  But some people ‘aren’t coming home at night and their families have lost their heroes.’  ‘We need to expand the law, offer fair compensation and make sure Doctors are paid’ (for their services through Workers Compensation).  ‘They don’t participate because they don’t get paid’ (fast enough).  We are asking our Electeds ‘to stand with us and hold companies accountable.’  ‘I hope that next year, it’s just not about numbers.’”

Admitting it was a “hard act to follow” after Briggs’ address, David Wasiura (pictured below), who serves as Assistant to the Director at USW District 4, said: “‘We will continue to improve health and safety (on the job) and our Elected Officials need to get behind us.’  ‘They need to make this commitment, that (Organized Labor) has a set at the table and make safety and the health of Workers a bigger priority.’  ‘If not, we will find them’ (elect others to public office who have Worker safety first and foremost on their minds).  ‘Because, at the end of the day, we are keeping people alive.’”

Under a sunny sky, those who participated in the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council’s Workers Memorial Day gathered outside a tent where Briggs and Wasiura would eventually speak, to mark their day of remembrance and to never forget the 53 names of Workers who are etched into the impressive monument that stands in Reservoir Park.

Fortunately, there were no new names added to the monument that were recognized in this year’s observance.

Bill Jakobi (pictured below), the United Way of Greater Niagara’s Labor Liaison to the Labor Council who served as Master of Ceremonies, later thanked all those involved for their “‘tireless efforts for enacting labor protections that saves lives.’”

“We ‘need employers held accountable for preventable workplace hazards,’” he continued.  “We ‘need more resources through Congress to fight for fundamental rights for every’ Worker.”

Signed back in 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act has made a tremendous difference in the lives of Working Americans, and, after more than 50 years, more than 668,000 Workers can truly say their lives have been saved by its passage. 

But in 2022, 343 Workers died each day on average from hazardous working conditions, and last year’s fatality data show especially troubling trends: The rate of death on the job for Black Workers rose to its highest number in more than a decade, and fatality rates for Latino Workers have increased 13% in the past decade (Read: The National AFL-CIO’s 2023 Death On The Job Report ‘Shows Alarming Working Conditions Across The Country’ - Data Shows Latino & Black Workers ‘Are Dying On The Job At The Highest Rate In Over A Decade’).

The Reverend Patrick Bradley, who spoke during the outdoor portion of the observance, said: “Fourteen Workers ‘die each day, one every (101) minutes.’  ‘But even one life is too many.’  ‘We remember each (Worker whose name is engraved) on this monument.’  ‘And while we pray for the dead, we will fight like hell for the living.’”

U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins (pictured above) was also in attendance, as was a number of other Elected Officials on the local and State level.  He told those who had gathered: “‘It is vitally important to take what Jim Briggs said in earnest.’  ‘While we (honor) those who gave their lives and remember those Workers, we have obligations (to make the workplace safe for all Workers.’”