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UAW President Yokich Statement In Observance of Memorial Day

27 April 2000

The Following Statement by UAW President Stephen P. Yokich is Issued In Observance of Workers Memorial Day on April 28, 2000

    DETROIT, April 27 The following statement by UAW President
Stephen P. Yokich is issued in observance of Workers Memorial Day on April 28,
2000:

    "On Friday, April 28, 2000, the UAW will join with others in the labor
movement and our allies to again observe Workers Memorial Day.  All around the
country, UAW local unions are taking time to remember victims of injury and
illness on the job, and to rededicate ourselves to preventing these tragedies
in the future.
    "On-the-job fatalities are the saddest and most dramatic example of
workplace risks.  But smaller incidents which never make the news also impact
victims of occupational illness and injury.
    "The daily toll of unnecessary pain caused by unguarded machinery,
ergonomic problems and chemical exposure is preventable.  Unfortunately,
however, health and safety rights are in jeopardy, threatened by hostile
legislation and the economic pressure of globalization.
    "That is why today we rededicate ourselves to stronger job safety
protections that improve the lives of all workers, organized and unorganized."