On April 28, NYSDOT CSEA Local 506 Treasurer Brian Ossont introduces guest speakers at a Workers Memorial Day Ceremony in Rochester, NY. Photos by Ove Overmyer, CSEA ©2017
Rochester—On April 28, NYS DOT Region 4 held a Workers Memorial Day Service at the Clover Street facility to honor those brothers and sisters we have lost while working on the job. Several other CSEA sponsored Workers Memorial Day events were planned throughout the state as well.
Speakers at the event included Kevin Bush, NYS DOT Region 4 Director; Brian Ossont, CSEA Local 506 Treasurer; NYS DOT Health & Safety Specialist John Daigler, CSEA Communications Specialist Ove Overmyer and CSEA Local 513 President Don Saulter among others.
Workers Memorial Day is not only a day to remember those who have died while on the job, it’s also a day to renew our collective commitment to the fight for safe and healthy workplaces for all workers throughout the world. Speakers at the podium encouraged others to talk to your co-workers and supervisors about safety risks and how we can all work together to make sure everyone has all the tools and resources they need to be safe and healthy at work.
The overarching message of the Rochester DOT ceremony concluded with a re-commitment to strengthening and enforcing our present health and safety laws and standards—as well as providing education, training and financial assistance when needed.
While CSEA members and activists throughout New York State morn for our lost brothers and sisters, at the same time these services and events have brought awareness and resolve to understand what’s at stake to protect those who are still on the job.
Similar ceremonies in Buffalo and Niagara Falls were planned for Saturday, April 29, while other services will be exercised around the nation throughout next week.
-Ove Overmyer
