Montana Workers Commemorate Workers Memorial Day by Remembering Workers Who Lost Their Lives on the Job and Demanding Job Safety Protections

A graphic poster from AFL-CIO marking Workers Memorial Day

Nearly 55 years ago, on April 28, 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job—our fundamental right. To honor that legacy today we’re marking Workers Memorial Day, when workers, unions and our entire community remember and honor workers who have lost their lives on the job, or been injured or made sick at their workplace—and come together to organize for a safer future for all workers.

From the mines to the oil fields to the emergency room, thousands of Montanans have been hurt or lost their lives on the job. Their legacy led to some of the nation’s very first unions, which brought workers together to organize and fight for the workplace protections we have now. That fight continues to this day. During Montana’s 2025 Legislative Session workers fought for recognition of the toll many jobs can take and to put in place tools and resources that protect us on the job. Nurses across the state fought to renew critical legislation that tracks workplace violence against healthcare workers and firefighters fought to ensure that PTSD is covered under workers compensation. 

But the job isn’t done. In 2023, more than 132,000 workers in the United States died, and millions more suffered injury or chronic illness, because of their jobs.

Efforts to fire federal workers will result in fewer job safety inspectors to ensure corporations follow the law. Undermining independent federal agencies will erode workers’ only safeguard against employers who endanger them or retaliate for reporting unsafe working conditions. And giving private corporations greater influence over government health and safety protections has given them access to confidential worker data and restricted critical safety information that both workers and employers need. 

Workers continue to suffer injuries, illnesses or even death on the job without sufficient safety and accountability. This is the time to increase, not cut, the resources we need to protect workers on the job. 

Together, workers have won real gains for workplace protection through relentless advocacy to reduce work-related deaths, diseases and injuries, organizing for safer working conditions and demanding that elected officials take action at all levels of government. The Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the critical workplace protections it provides, are a shining example of what can happen when we stand together and fight so we can all get home safe. But these laws must be strengthened and protected. 

Our nation’s strength depends on safe workplaces and workers who can return home to their families at the end of each shift. Together, workers will keep fighting to hold employers accountable and defend the hard-won safety and health protections and workers’ rights from attacks, so everyone can feel safe and secure on the job.