More than 50 years ago on April 28, Workers Memorial Day, the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job — a fundamental right. The law was won because of the tireless efforts of the labor movement, which organized for safer working conditions and demanded action from the government to protect working people.

Since then, unions and our allies have fought hard to make that promise a reality — winning protections under the law that have made jobs safer and saved lives.

But that critical work is far from done. Each year, thousands of workers are killed and millions more suffer injury and illness because of dangerous working conditions. So, every year on Workers Memorial Day, working people remember those who were hurt or killed on the job and renew our struggle for safe workplaces. Let’s never forget and continue to organize for safe workplaces and to save lives.