By Ken Ward Jr.
STAFF WRITER
At least 33 West Virginians died on the
job in 1998. State labor leaders say that's 33 too many.
The state AFL-CIO today will hold its
annual Workers Memorial Day to pay tribute to West Virginia workers who
were killed on the job.
No one knows exactly how many West Virginians
die every year from work-related accidents and illnesses. Concrete figures
keep track only of accidents. Illness data is harder to come by, and all
accidents are always reported.
Nationally, it is estimated that more
than 60,000 American workers lost their lives because of workplace injuries
and illnesses in 1998. More than 6 million more were injured.
"In a nation fully capable of making
sure there are no workplace injuries or deaths, thousands die yearly because
workplace protections are not provided," the state AFL-CIO said in
a news release.
AFL-CIO officials plan to dedicate a permanent
memorial to all workers who have lost their lives in the workplace during
a ceremony this evening.
The event starts at 6 p.m. at the AFL-CIO
offices on Broad Street.
AFL-CIO President Jim Bowen and Secretary-Treasurer
Kenny Perdue will appear. The ceremony will also include the reading of
the names of the West Virginians killed on the job last year. A bell will
be rung for each of the workers.
The event is part of the national AFL-CIO's
"Safe Jobs: Make Our Voices Heard" campaign.
To contact staff writer Ken
Ward Jr., call 348-1702.