Honor fallen workers with safer worksites O


By SUSAN M KENT


n April 28th, we observed Workers Memorial Day, a day to remember those


who lost their lives while doing their jobs and a day to recommit to making worksites safer. I was honored to be a part of several ceremonies around the Capital District and you can read about and see photographs of those individual events in a story in this edition of The Communicator. As we reflect on the right of workers to a safe


job, we can say we’ve made progress. But progress is a relative term. Witness a few of the major workplace tragedies that occurred this year in the United States: • The recent West, Texas fertilizer plant


explosion that claimed the lives of 12 emergency responders and two other individuals; • The horrific explosion at the Massey Energy


Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia that killed 29 coal miners; • An explosion at the Kleen Energy plant in


Middletown, Conn. that killed six workers; and • A BP/Transocean Gulf Coast oil rig explosion that killed 11


workers and caused a massive environmental and economic disaster. We have much work to do. Across the world in Bangladesh, hundreds of garment


workers died in the collapse of a building, and bodies were still being pulled from the rubble as we commemorated Workers Memorial Day here in New York. This, after a horrific fire in the same region last November when more than 100 garment workers were burned alive in a building with no fire exits. I was privileged to meet with Sumi Abedin, a 24-year-old


mentioned here, as well,” Kent said. “Senators and Assembly members want to know how proposed legislation might affect their constituents. They want to know if the people in their districts support or oppose these bills, so it’s critically important for PEF members to speak up and tell them.” Members should contact their regional


coordinator or political action committee chair to learn how they can become involved in this effort.


Wide range of legislation Among the other high priority bills PEF


asks members to discuss with their legislators are: • A1729, Pay Equity, would implement


a state policy of fair and equal pay for equivalent value of work for state civil service positions. Similar bills also have been introduced that apply to the private sector. They may be adopted as part of the governor’s Women’s Equity agenda; • A902/S3627, would prohibit both the


diminution of health insurance benefits of retired public employees and their dependents and the reduction of the employer’s premium contributions for such


www.pef.org


REMEMBERINGWORKERS WORLDWIDE—PEF President Susan Kent speaks at aWorkers Memorial Day ceremony at the state Department of Labor April 29. —Photo by DeborahMiles


seamstress from Bangladesh who spoke about her escape from the Tazreen Fashion factory fire in Bangladesh last November. The working conditions she described were abominable. Many of the products made in these factories were believed to be destined for U.S. markets, and sold by major U.S. corporations. Ms. Abedin wants the companies whose goods were found in the ashes to compensate the victims of the fire and we believe she is right. A fund is being created, and PEF in solidarity with other labor unions will put pressure on American corporations to do the right thing. It is our responsibility as unionists to do so. Corporations that exploit for greater wealth by putting workers in danger must be held accountable. This tragedy reminds us of another horrific


event at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in lower Manhattan where, more than 100 years ago, 146 workers, mostly women and young girls, died when fire erupted on the eighth floor of the factory building. As is often the case, it took a


tragedy to instigate reform. The result was a new set of rules imposed on workplaces to help maintain the health and safety of working men and women. Let’s not wait for another tragedy to erupt. One worksite death is one too many. Let’s make a vow to honor the memories of those who


perished with worker-led improvements to working conditions both here at home and in other parts of the world where tragedy continues to needlessly strike. In the words of labor union leader and activist Mother Jones: “Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living!”


health insurance; • A4359/S1562, Veterans’ Service


Credit, would amend the state constitution to entitle veterans with disabilities who were classified as veterans and used such classification in their original appointment or promotion and were later classified as veterans with disabilities, to use the additional credit, that would be garnered by that designation, for a subsequent test or appointment. This bill was passed by the Senate and the Assembly last year, but it


must be passed by each house again this year and then be approved by state voters in November in order to change the constitution; and • A5235/S4471, would require


workers’ compensation hearings and pre- hearing conferences to be stenographically recorded by a stenographer in the employ of the state Workers’ Compensation Board. The bills listed here are only a few of


those of interest to PEF that have been introduced in this legislative session.


Message from PEF VP Barbara Ulmer Attention: All Republicans The Kent/Garcia administration is committed to making PEF as inclusive to all of its


members as possible, and has charged me with the responsibility of coordinating outreach efforts to PEF members who are enrolled Republicans, and to focus on reaching out to Republican candidates and lawmakers who support our legislative priorities. We have much work to do for the remainder of this legislative session and we need all


our members, regardless of their political affiliation, to get involved. By being a part of this process, you can help with our lobbying efforts with members of the GOP, many of whom already support some of our proposals, and with their help we can ensure the issues important to PEF members are moved forward. I encourage any PEF member interested in getting involved to please contact me at


bulmer@pef.org. The Communicator May 2013—Page 7


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE


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