To honor West Virginia workers who died on the job – 17 were lost in 2025 – the West Virginia AFL-CIO will hold the 38th annual Workers Memorial Ceremony at noon, Tuesday, April 28, in Barboursville, WV.
“As we do each year, we will read the names of West Virginians who lost their lives due to workplace injury and illness, take a moment to pay tribute to them, and vow to keep fighting for the promise of safe jobs for all workers,” West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said. “So many of workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths are preventable. We must hold employers accountable to keep workers safe, and demand more, not fewer, government resources to do this.”
WV AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Andy Walters noted, “Each day in this country, more than 380 workers are killed and more than 8,600 suffer injury and illness because of dangerous working conditions that are preventable. They work for coal mines, utility companies, in transportation, health care, and the public sector – they are our friends and neighbors, and they should have returned home safely to their loved ones.”
On April 28, unions of the AFL-CIO throughout the country will observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and to call for action to make workplaces safe.
“Anti-regulatory attacks, at both the federal and state levels, would remove protections that have been on the books for decades, protections we often take for granted,” Sword said. “Elevating workplace safety and health issues is more important than ever. At a time of deep division, the desire for a safe and healthy workplace is something that unites people.”
The ceremony will be broadcast via Facebook.com/westvirginia.aflcio
WHAT: 38th Annual Workers Memorial Ceremony
WHEN: Noon, Tuesday, April 28, 2026
WHERE: Barboursville City Park, Shelter #9, Co Rd 31/6, Barboursville, WV