Remembering Those Lost at the 3rd Annual Workers Memorial Day Mass

Message from the Business Manager.

We can save lives and honor those we lost-- Steve Flanagan. 

As we prepare to gather at St. Patrick's Church in Bay Shore for the 3rd Annual Workers Memorial Mass, I would like to share with you all some recent statistics. Within the past year, over 4,600 workers died as a result of going to work. Thirteen workers die every day from job related injuries, and our work in the construction industry is some of the most dangerous work out there. Here at Local 66, we recently lost 3 brothers. Brother Roderick Alexander lost his life to cancer, he was an active member and a Steward. Brother Jose "Oscar" Martins had a heart attack on the job and young Michael Gradzki was killed in a skateboard accident. Michael was the youngest member this local ever lost. At the Mass this year we will once again bring our hardhats and get them blessed by Father Tom Coogan.

During the Prayer of the Faithful, Roderick, Oscar and Michaels names will be read and we will offer our resects to them and their families. Also the names of other workers who have died will be read, and we will be there in the spirit of unionism to pay our respects to them as well. Going to Church on Monday, April 29th will not bring our brothers back to us, but if we can get together and encourage just one person to stop and think and practice safety first - and that action saves a workers' life, then all the efforts behind Workers Memorial Day is worth it. Because losing your life should never be a job description. See you all at the Mass!