Unions pushing for safer workplaces on Workers Memorial Day

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- While Memorial Day's on a Monday in May, "workers" Memorial Day falls on a Friday in April. That day was today, and union members gathered downtown to pay tribute to those who've died on the job.

"You know, to hear taps at the end is just a really powerfully emotional thing," said Mark Pelzek, Milwaukee Area Labor Council vice president.

Mark Pelzek knows the heartbreak of losing a co-worker and friend.

"He was out doing inspections just like any other inspector would do," said Pelzek.

Greg Zyskiewicz was killed in an attempted carjacking in 2017.

"One of the first workers Memorial Day events that I came to was right after he passed and to hear his name read as one of the people that died on the job was, you know I'll never forget that day," said Pelzek.

Among the names being read here of 65 Wisconsin workers who died on the job in 2022 was Milwaukee postal carrier, Aundre Cross.

"It's incumbent upon all of us to work to make sure that we are speaking up and we are speaking out for each other," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Those gathered at Union Square Park are from a variety of unions and backgrounds. But here, they stand in solidarity -- to keep each other safe.

"It's very disheartening to me when I speak to people and they talk about their immigration status and how those protections don't apply to them and that's just not true," said Ricardo Sanchez, Milwaukee Area Labor Council for Latin American Advancement president.

Ricardo Sanchez says minorities top the list for workplace injuries and deaths.

"You know, workers deserve to have a safe workplace, a sanitary workplace," said Sanchez.

According to the U.S. Labor Statistics Bureau, 2021 saw 105 workplace deaths in Wisconsin. Years previous to that, the numbers were even higher.

Workers Memorial Day got started some 50 years ago and union members here say it's so important that it did.

"We will also remember those who have suffered and died on the job and those who are suffering from chronic illnesses from workplace exposure," said Decorah Gordon, Milwaukee Area Labor Council Officer.

Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez said safety regulations in place today are because of Wisconsin's strong union presence.

That's what our unions do for us, they make sure that we can have that collective voice to really fight for our rights and fight for safety within the workplace.