On April 28, CSEA and workers around the world will mark Workers’ Memorial Day, when we remember those who lost their lives or were severely injured while doing their jobs.
Among this number are several CSEA-represented brothers who have died on the job since April 2018: Jean MacDonald, Jeffrey Farrell, Dennis “Matt” Howe and Tom Walter.
We remember them not just as workers who passed away on the job, but as the people they were.
We also use Workers’ Memorial Day to renew our ongoing commitment to safe and healthy workplaces. These workplace deaths are preventable, and we will continue to fight until everyone can do their jobs safely.
In Memorium
Jean MacDonald, 61
Nov. 14, 2018
Town of Hempstead sanitation worker Jean L. MacDonald, 61, passed away on Nov. 14, 2018, from injuries sustained while collecting leaves on a local street. MacDonald, who lived in Freeport, was known as an “exemplary” and “hardworking” 12-year employee of the town.
Jeffrey Farrell, 30
Jan. 18, 2019
Monroe County employee Jeffrey Farrell, 30, passed away Jan. 18, 2019, from a workplace incident while he was working below ground inside a sewer grate. A tractor-trailer traveled down an embankment and struck a light pole and two vehicles. Farrell passed away while trying to escape.
A recent county hire, Farrell is survived by his parents, sister and other extended family, including his dog. He also enjoyed playing hockey.
Dennis “Matt” Howe, 45
March 18, 2019
State Department of Transportation employee Dennis “Matt” Howe, 45, passed away on March 18, 2019, from injuries sustained in a March 13 incident in which a tractor-trailer struck a DOT vehicle he was in while a state crew was performing highway safety work.
Tom Walter, 28
Feb. 5, 2020
Orange County Department of Health employee Tom Walter, 28, passed away Feb. 5, 2020, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident while driving a county-owned vehicle. Outside of work, Walter was a volunteer firefighter and avid outdoorsman. He is survived by his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews and extended family.
CSEA keeping up fight for work zone safety
Working on or near traveled roads is one of the most dangerous environments for CSEA members.
Since CSEA began keeping records in 1983, more than 50 of our members have been killed on the job in work zones, with nearly half of these incidents caused by the traveling public.
Our union is fighting to make work zones safer for all, including working with our state elected officials to pass legislation to increase work zone safety, conducting training programs and raising public awareness about the potential hazard faced by those who work on or near roadways.
The State Senate, led by State Sen. Tim Kennedy, recently unanimously passed a bill (S.6094A) that would expand protections in work zones by sharply increasing fines for endangering a highway worker and would direct a majority of revenues collected from such fines to making work zones safer.
The bill also calls for expanded efforts around public education and outreach on work zone safety. The bill is now in the Assembly Transportation Committee.
In addition to supporting this stand-alone bill, CSEA is strongly advocating for the provisions of this bill to be included in the state budget.
Visit cseany.org/safety for more information.
