People nationwide, especially members of labor unions, recognized Workers Memorial Day this past week.
The event was marked all across America by various services and memorials. Many workers unions took special care to honor their fallen members.
The annual event remembers workers who died in the previous year from workplace accidents or workplace illnesses. Most important of all, it is a yearly reminder of the importance for campaigning for increased workplace safety and fair workman's compensation programs.
Mike Hawthorne, business manager of the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council, reported that the rate of workplace injuries and illnesses in Minnesota has dropped, from a rate of 6.8 cases per 100 full-time workers in 2000 to 4.6 cases per 100 workers in 2007 a drop of 32 percent, according to Minnesota OSHA.
At this year's ceremony, Mr. Hawthorne only had to read the names of three workers: Thomas Raymond Johnson, Sr., a member of Pipefitters Local 455, who died of mesothelioma at age 64; Clarence Roger Olson, a member of Pipefitters Local 455, who died of lung cancer at age 61; and Roberto Pearson, a member of Boilermakers Local 647, who died in an accidental fall at age 25.
Workers Memorial Day in recent year has become a major rallying point for mesothelioma awareness advocates. Professions that may face an elevated risk of developing mesothelioma after workplace-related exposure to asbestos include mechanics, teachers, shipyard workers, and pipe fitters.
Nationwide, 5,657 fatal workplace injuries took place 2007, according to the national AFL-CIO.
Because mesothelioma has a long latency period, it can be several decades before a worker develops an illness after exposure to asbestos.
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