CHARLESTON – To honor West Virginia workers who died on the job - 18 were lost in 2022 -  the West Virginia AFL-CIO, the United Mine Workers of America, and the Kanawha Valley Labor Council will hold an in-person event at noon, Friday, April 28, at the state Capitol commemorating the 35^th annual Workers Memorial Day.

“As we do each year, we will read the names of West Virginia 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. “In 2022, 18 West Virginians lost their lives while on the job. They were first responders, coal miners, timber industry workers, those in the construction field, so many dedicated employees, 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.

Sword noted United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts will be among the labor leaders speaking at the West Virginia event. In addition, this year, the ceremony will include President of the Independent Trade Union of Miners of Albania (SPMSH) Gezim Kalaja, who is heading a delegation currently visiting the United States that will be in Charleston.

The ceremony will be broadcast via Facebook Live.

WHAT:                      35th Annual Workers Memorial Ceremony   

WHEN:                      Noon, Friday, April 28, 2023

WHERE:                   Lower Rotunda, State Capitol, Charleston

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