Mobilizing membership and the broader community to help block attacks on workplace health and safety is our goal, states the United Auto Workers' health and safety paper presented at the UAW Community Action Program Legislative Conference for 2003.

Members are urged to:

  • Observe Workers' Memorial Day on April 28. This has become the day when unions, their allies and increasingly management across the country pause to remember workers who have died or been injured on the job. Every UAW local union should sponsor a memorial meeting, rally or march to remember workers who have died on the job.

  • Build community alliances with Coalitions on Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) groups and other unions to spread the word about health and safety.

  • Organize call-ins to representatives and senators. Start a petition and/or letter-writing campaign to representatives and senators to oppose assaults on worker safety. Schedule public events to present the petitions or letters to congressional representatives.

  • Encourage friends and co-workers to write letters to Congress voicing their opinions.

  • Encourage members of the Workforce Protection Subcommittee (House) and the Health Education and Pension Committee (Senate) to hold field hearings on health and safety issues.

  • Hold a public meeting with representatives and senators in their districts and states, bringing in injured workers and family members to talk firsthand about the need for strong health and safety protections.

  • Write letters to editors, call talk shows and encourage local reporters to write about health and safety issues.