Rep. Miller: We Shouldn’t Have to Settle for the Status Quo on Worker Safety
WASHINGTON – Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democratic member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement marking Workers Memorial Day on April 28, a day to remember those who have been fatally injured or died while on the job.
“On Workers Memorial Day, we reflect on the unacceptable price paid by thousands of workers who lose their lives each year and the millions who are severely injured while just trying to make a living. This reflection should also serve as a reminder that our duty to stop preventable injuries, illnesses and death at the workplace remains unfulfilled. Miners are still dying. Industrial dust explosions continue to destroy property and lives. Offshore oil rig workers still don’t have basic whistleblower protections. Our working families deserve better.
“Unfortunately, despite all the tragedies we continue to experience, elected officials only seem to offer platitudes and grief over the loss of life as opposed to any meaningful action. Very powerful special interests continue to invest in gridlock that prevents needed modern workplace protections from being signed into law. This is inexcusable and unacceptable. No worker should have to sacrifice their life for their livelihood. We shouldn’t have to accept the status quo.”
Rep. Miller is coauthor of the Protecting America’s Workers Act, the Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions Act, the Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act, and the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act.
Next Article