MEMORIAL DAY FOR WORKERS
(Memorial Day began as Decoration Day after the American Civil War to honor those fallen soldiers of the North. Later Memorial Day was expanded to include all military personnel who died in the service of their country. Memorial Day has expanded to include all dear ones who have died. On April 25, 2015 Memorial Day for Workers remembered people who died while in the workplace. Here is the speech given by Randy Radke.)
MEMORIAL DAY FOR WORKERS
By Randy Radke
I would like to thank everyone who was able to join us today to remember our fallen sisters and brothers. Today—in cities, towns, union halls, at worksites and memorials, in community after community—we gather to remember our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives and to fight for safe workplaces and for good jobs for ALL workers.
In central Wisconsin, this past year one of our union brothers lost his life on the job. Matthew Ament, or Charlie—as he liked to be called by his family and friends, was a Heat and Frost Insulator who lost his life on the job In Mosinee, WI on Nov. 18, 2014. I’m glad to see that some of the Ament Family could join us today.
Our condolences go out to your family and friends. I can’t imagine what your family has gone through or continues to go through. I hope today’s memorial service helps you remember the many good times you’ve had with Charlie as we acknowledge him, and other workers who lost their lives on the job.
We must fight back! We can’t allow corporations, driven by greed, to put workers in danger, drive down wages and destroy our communities. We must educate, mobilize and organize union members and join with our allies in this community to demand fair pay and good benefits for all workers and stronger safety and health protections to save workers’ lives.
On this Workers’ Memorial Day, we remember and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives on the job or who have been injured or made sick. Today we call for an end to the unnecessary deaths of our brothers and sisters.
On this day, we call for workers to have the right to speak out and demand safe working conditions and the right to form a union without fear of retaliation. And on this day, we pledge to fight for good jobs that are safe and pay fair wages and provide economic security and opportunity for all.
Mourn for the Dead. Fight for the Living!