Statement from Senator Tammy Baldwin for Workers Memorial Day-
“Fifty years ago on April 28, the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect after the tireless efforts of the labor movement, who drew major attention to work-related deaths and injuries, organized for safer working conditions and demanded action from their government.
Since 1970, unions and our allies have fought hard to make that promise a reality—winning protections that have made jobs safer and saved lives. But there is much to be done before the promise to keep all workers safe on the job, during the pandemic and beyond, can be fulfilled.
In Wisconsin and across the country, we have seen powerful, corporate special interests, and the politicians that they fund, attack workers’ rights and undermine our labor laws. The result has been a shrinking middle class, rising income inequality, and more economic insecurity for working families.
This Workers Memorial Day, I stand with the Milwaukee County Labor Council to remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and to renew the fight for safe jobs.
We also stand together in knowing that worker safety and workers’ voices go hand in hand. That’s why I am working to pass the PRO Act in the Senate. Our legislation takes bold action to respect and reward the hard work of the men and women in labor by protecting and strengthening workers’ rights.
I know that Unions are critical to increasing wages and addressing growing income inequality, and the PRO Act would reverse years of attacks on unions and restore fairness to the economy by strengthening the federal laws that protect workers’ right to join a union and bargain for higher wages and better benefits.
Together, let’s continue organizing and working to pass the PRO Act in Congress and take a stand for workers so they can stand together for fair pay, a safe workplace, quality health care, and the dignity of a secure retirement they worked hard to earn.
On this Workers Memorial Day, let’s renew our commitment to fighting for the right of every worker to a safe job until that promise is fulfilled.”