Workers Memorial Day Ceremonies

Events to commemorate Workers Memorial Day were held throughout the state both Sunday, April 28 and Monday, April 29. In the Capital Region, PEF President Susan Kent spoke at memorial ceremonies in Schenectady, Latham and Albany. Kent and PEF Secretary-Treasurer Carlos Garcia laid a wreath at the PEF monument on Monday, after Kent spoke about the need to improve health and safety conditions, not only in New York, but throughout the world. She cited fatal mining accidents in the U.S., a tragic fire at a garment factory In Bangladesh last November, and collapse of another Bangladeshi garment factory that killed hundreds of workers in April.

 

At noon, Kent joined state Department of Labor Commissioner Peter Rivera,  Eileen Franko, acting director for the Division of Safety and Health at DOL, and Gary China, Civil Service Employees Association occupational safety and health specialist at a courtyard ceremony at DOL in Albany. Each spoke about the need to "fight for the living," followed by a ground breaking for a tree to be a part of DOL’s memorial garden.

Union leaders and dozens of members attended the event.

PEF President Susan M. Kent's Appearance on Capital Tonight

WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY 2013

Four decades ago, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, promising every worker the right to a safe job.  On April 28,  we observe  Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew the fight for safe workplaces.

Thank you to all the PEF members who have notified us of ceremonies going on in their regions.  Join with fellow unionists in your region to mark this day:

PEF Vice President Barbara Ulmer participated in a Workers Memorial Day moment of silence at the state Department of Taxation and Finance in Albany April 24. The event paid tribute to workers who have been killed on the job and to commemorate Workers Memorial Day, April 28.

The Capital District Area Labor Federation will honor Workers Memorial Day:

Sunday, April 28

2:00 PM

Steinmetz Family Investment Center

120 Emmons Street

Schenectady, NY  12305

Click Here for CDALF flyer

In the Binghamton area:

Sunday, April 28, 1:15 pm

Where: Commemorative Plaque, on the River Trail

(Wall Street) near Martin Luther King statue

Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Binghamton Factory Fire and

Honoring Brother John Janos, IAFF 729 and all who have suffered and died on the job

Click Here for additional details.

In the Albany area on Monday, April 29^th: 

PEF will have a ceremony at its Latham , NY headquarters Monday, April 29 at 10 a.m. in front of the PEF monument and at noon the Department of Labor hold a ceremony in the courtyard of Building 12.  PEF President Susan Kent will speak at both ceremonies.

STATEMENT FROM KENT/GARCIA ADMINISTRATION

When asked to comment on succession planning and the aging state workforce for an article recently published in the Times Union, PEF leadership made this statement to the newspaper:

Workforce planning is an issue the current PEF administration has long been concerned with.  In meetings with members of the Governor’s cabinet and the Commissioner of Civil Service, PEF leadership has stressed that for any workforce and/or succession planning initiative to be successful, unions must be considered a strategic partner in the plan’s development.

For reasons unclear to us, the statement was NOT included in the article.  We will continue to look for and find outlets to speak out on all issues important to our members.  Look for PEF President Susan M. Kent this Thursday, April 25^th, on Capital Tonight at 8 PM (re-airs at 11:30 PM) on YNN.

PEF STATEWIDE HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE

ALBANY – Nearly 350 health and safety activists attended the 2013 statewide Health and Safety Conference sponsored by PEF and the state April 18-20. Some of the conference highlights included guest speaker Congressman Paul Tonko, shown above with PEF President Susan Kent, master of ceremonies Rocco Brindisi, and PEF  Director of Training and Education, and Health and Safety Paula Hennessy (L).

Keynote speaker Maureen Kellman presented a highly informative presentation that focused on wellness. Participants had a choice of 14 workshops on timely topics, such as office ergonomics, worker’s rights, and using social media techniques for health and safety communication.

The event also included an awards ceremony, panel discussions and a special memorial tribute to Jim Schmidt.