Make Your Voice Heard

Speak Out for Safe Jobs, Protect Workers Now!

Four decades ago, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, promising every worker the right to a safe job. Unions and our allies have fought hard to make that promise a reality—winning protections that have made jobs safer, saved thousands of lives and prevented millions of workplace injuries and illnesses.

But our work is not done. Many job hazards are unregulated and uncontrolled. Some employers cut corners and violate the law, putting workers in serious danger and costing lives. Workers who report job hazards or job injuries are fired or disciplined. Employers contract out dangerous work to try to avoid responsibility. As a result, each year thousands of workers are killed and millions more injured or diseased because of their jobs.

The Obama administration has strengthened protections with tougher enforcement and a focus on workers’ rights. Much-needed safeguards on silica and other workplace hazards, stalled for several years due to fierce business and Republican opposition, have finally started to move forward.

We must redouble our efforts to make sure these safeguards are finalized and put in place.

On April 28, the United Steelworkers will observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew the fight for safe workplaces. This year we will come together to call for good jobs in this country for all workers. We will seek stronger safeguards to prevent injuries and save lives. We will stand for the right of all workers to raise job safety concerns without fear of retaliation, and for the freedom to form unions and speak out and bargain for respect and a better future. Please join us and make your voice heard.

Decades of struggle by workers and their unions have resulted in significant improvements in working conditions. But progress is threatened as employers seek to cut corners and shirk responsibility and business opponents try to block needed safeguards and stronger workers’ rights. It is time to organize, take action andspeak out for safe jobs for workers, including:

• Defending safety and health protections and rights from industry attacks.
• Requiring employers to find and fix hazards and implement a worksite safety and health program, with full worker participation, to prevent injuries, illnesses and deaths.
• Winning new workplace safeguards for silica, combustible dust and infectious diseases.
• Strengthening protections for miners, including tighter standards for coal dust to protect against Black Lung.
• Prohibiting employer policies and practices that discourage reporting of workplace injuries.
• Increasing attention to the safety and health of Latino and immigrant workers who are at much greater risk of death and injury.
• Passing the Protecting America’s Workers Act to provide OSHA protection for all workers who lack protection, stronger criminal and civil penalties for companies that seriously violate job safety laws and improved anti- retaliation protections for workers who raise job safety concerns.
• Ensuring workers’ right to have a voice on the job, and to freely choose to join a union without employer interference or intimidation.