Each year, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and trade unionists worldwide recognize April 28^th as Workers’ Memorial Day (WMD) — an international day of remembrance and action for workers who have died, been injured, made ill, or disabled from their work.  This day serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting safety and health in the workplace and advocating for workers’ rights.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has developed a variety of resources to help you plan WMD activities at your local union and workplace. These include examples of activities and events to host, talking points that may be shared with the media, and fact sheets on workplace hazards and workers’ rights.  Available resources will be posted on this page in the coming days.  On this April 28^th, we urge you to commemorate and honor your fellow fallen workers by getting involved and organizing observances, remembrances, actions, activities, or digital campaigns in your workplaces and communities.

2.6 million workers were injured on the job in 2021 per the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Decades of effort by workers and their unions have significantly improved working conditions. But workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths continue to inflict enormous pain and suffering on millions of American workers and their families. 

In addition to fighting for worker protection, we must continue to fight for protection against heat stress, workplace violence, and the evolving and unique hazards presented when humans and machines collide in automation/robotics in the workplace. Continued action and constant pressure are required to ensure employers and legislators address these concerns.  

This Workers’ Memorial Day is an opportunity to promote health and safety at every workplace by highlighting the toll of workplace injuries and illnesses, acknowledging their preventable nature, and demanding strong management commitment to developing and implementing adequate safety and health programs WITH input from workers and their unions.

We must continue fighting and pushing forward to ensure safe jobs for all workers through strong unions and laws. Organize! Safe Jobs NOW!

Event Resources

• What You Can Do to Commemorate Workers’ Memorial Day
• General Media Talking Points
• Media Assistance
• Tell Us About Your Event
• Workers’ Memorial Day Events Around the US

Safety and Health Resources

• About the Teamsters Safety and Health Department
• Safety and Health Department Highlights
• Worker Rights and Protections Video Podcast
• Census of Fatal and Non-Fatal Injuries and Illnesses, 2021
• Safety and Health Department Fact Sheets
  • Fact Sheet- Whistleblower Rights
  • Fact Sheet- Protecting Workers in Flooded Areas
  • Fact Sheet – Heat Related Injuries
• OSHA Standards
• NIOSH Website
• DOL Website
• NCOSH Dirty Dozen List – Release April 26th (register here)
• Death on the Job Report
• WMD 2023 Posters and Social Media Graphics