TELL IT TO THE CHIEFTAIN - May 18, 2009
Remember workers
Workers Memorial Day, April 28, is a day for all of us to remember workers who were killed on the job. It's also an opportunity for us to recognize that our nation's safety laws must be stronger and more thoroughly enforced.
A report from the AFL-CIO, entitled "Death on the Job" shows that 126 workers were killed in Colorado in 2007. Nationally, 5,657 workers lost their lives on the job and more than 4 million were injured.
After eight years of a federal administration that did little to strengthen - and much to undermine - basic protections for America's working men and women, it's a relief to have a new president who is committed to protecting worker's health and safety.
For the first time in almost a decade, we have the opportunity to strengthen the Occupational Safety and Health Administration by fighting for higher standards of protection for workers and stronger penalties for employers who violate the law and put workers in danger. It's also time to expand OSHA's protections to the millions of public employees, flight attendants and other workers who are not currently covered.
The way to accomplish this is by giving workers a voice in the work place. . . . We need to pass the Employee Free Choice Act to ensure this voice for all Americans.
Unions give workers a means for bargaining for higher health and safety standards and training as well as a living wage, health care and secure retirement benefits.
Please take a moment to remember the millions of workers who have been killed or hurt on the job. Join me in calling on Sen. Mark Udall, Sen. Michael Bennet and all of our elected leadership to pass the Employee Free Choice Act so that all working Americans can stand up and have a voice in their workplace.
Ami M. Nawrocki - Pueblo