Members of USW Local 9460 gathered on April 28—Workers’ Memorial Day—to honor health care workers with a socially distanced vigil in downtown Duluth, Minn. The event was intended to show solidarity with health care workers as together they continue to face the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.
“The pandemic is not over,” Local 9460 President Deanna Hughes told local reporters. “Every day we have hundreds of health care workers who are still on the frontlines.”
Members held and waved signs along with cards written by students from area schools showing their appreciation for those on the front lines. The event ended with a candlelight vigil for those lives lost to COVID-19.
At least 3,600 U.S. health care workers died from COVID-19 in the pandemic’s first year. Many of these cases involved concerns over adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), highlighting the need for a renewed commitment to worker health and safety.
“Obtaining fair contracts around health and safety in the workplace are more important than ever since we have seen what a pandemic has done to our health care workers, patients and our community.” said Hughes.
Local 9460 includes roughly 2,400 members in the northern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin area.