April 28, 2003
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Lt. Governor John D. Cherry today proclaimed April 28 Workers Memorial Day in Michigan. Since 1989, the unions of the AFL-CIO and the UAW have observed Workers Memorial Day as a remembrance of those who have lost their lives while on the job.
“We must never forget those men and women who lost their lives or were injured on the job,” Granholm said. “Today, I ask all of our citizens to take a moment to remember the people who worked so hard to make Michigan a better place to live and raise a family.”
The Granholm/Cherry office presented a proclamation to AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney and AFL-CIO Occupational Health and Safety Director Derrick Quinney at a Workers Memorial Day observance on the Capitol steps. The AFL-CIO gathered today to renew its fight for safer workplaces.
“This observance renews our effort to seek and ensure stronger health and safety protections for the Michigan workforce,” Cherry said.
Nearly 100 countries observe Workers Memorial Day. The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, the International Labor Organization, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, and Thailand formally recognize April 28 as Workers Memorial Day.
