April 28th 1971, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act promising every worker the right to a safe job. Every year on this date we observe Worker’s Memorial Day. This day is to remember those who have died, been injured or made ill by their work. It is also a day to reinvigorate all of us in our never-ending campaign to return safely home to the ones who love us the most.
31 precious lives have been lost in our plant since 1967. 31 families have been forever changed. We must remember them every day. We must strive to do better. We owe it to them. We owe it to their families. We owe it to the men and women working here today and we owe it to the next generation of workers to ensure they did not die in vain.
As the years go by, the memory of our fallen Brothers and Sisters are carried on. Their cause will never fail. We have picked up the struggle of our departed. While steel will no longer reach its temper from their sweat and blood, they remain in our conscience and our hearts to help us remain consistent with the realities of working-class life.
We can’t change the past, the fatalities, the injuries or industrial disease, but we can change the future for the better. If we don’t, who will?
In Solidarity on this Somber Day,
Pete Trinidad Sr.
USW Local 6787 President
In Remembrance of Our Fallen Brothers and Sisters
Donald Beschinski Hot Strip Mill August 26, 1967
John Plavchak Hot Strip Mill September 2, 1967
Eugene Barnes Yards & Trans September 11, 1969
Larry Nichols Slab Mill March 27, 1970
Daniel Villagran Iron Producing August 24, 1970
Richard Neill Yards & Trans December 16, 1971
George Pasa Hot Strip Mill July 18, 1974
Jeff Fravel Coke Ovens July 27, 1977
David Reeves Steelmaking September 29, 1978
George Tremmel Blast Furnace May 23, 1979
Tyron Bolden Blast Furnace May 24, 1979
Steve Silvasi Sheet & Tin December 31, 1979
Paul Shanahan Power & Utilities March 30, 1980
Henry LaForet Steelmaking March 12, 1982
Larry Langman Steelmaking March 12, 1982
Robert Fogus Cold Strip Mill August 15, 1984
Judy Miller Coke Ovens October 19, 1987
Leo Ford Yards & Trans March 19, 1990
Bill Snelling Mail Room March 27, 1990
Robert Wegner Blast Furnace November 24, 1991
Joseph Rogers Slab Yard September 24, 1992
Donna Stearns Coke Ovens October 11, 1996
James Stout Plate Mill December 9, 1996
James Soda Shops & Maintenance January 28, 1997
Ronald Clarke Steelmaking February 19, 1998
Daniel Kado Services February 2, 2001
Randal Moehl Steelmaking November 29, 2002
Kevin Sullivan Coke Plant July 28, 2006
Russell Payne MEU April 30, 2008
Gabriel Rocha Steelmaking November 15, 2011
Kenneth “Buster” Gish Steelmaking August 21, 2015