A Danville ceremony later this month will honor workers who lost their lives on the job. The Workers’ Memorial Day ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th at 9:00 a.m. It will be held at the Workers’ Memorial located along the 400 block of North Hazel Street (near the World War II Memorial) in Danville.
Connie Ostrander of the Vermilion County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, says while labor unions lead the fight for greater workplace protections, the day honors all whose lives were lost on the job. She adds that is regardless of whether they were members of a union.
Organizations are asking for the public’s help in identifying those whose names should be added to the memorial. Those who would like someone’s name added should contact Ostrander at ostranderconnie40@gmail.com or 217-418-0944.
The Danville memorial was built in 1993 and includes the names of more than thirty-five local citizens who have died while working.
“We recognize the importance of honoring the memories of those who lost their lives while on the job,’’ said Ostrander in a news release. “We know there are more than just those whose names are on the memorial today,’’ she added. “We hope their friends and family members will reach out to us and bring attention to their loved ones.’’
Local officials will be in attendance to recognize Workers’ Memorial Day, which has taken place each year since the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect more than 50 years ago.
News story here.
