Four decades ago, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, promising every worker the right to a safe job. Unions have fought to keep this promise, winning protections that have saved thousands of lives and prevented millions of injuries. Yet, workers continue to be hurt and to die on the job—from the employees killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School last year to special ed paraprofessionals who wrench their backs lifting students. This Workers Memorial Day, April 28, let’s mourn for the dead and fight for the living.

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