Workers’ Memorial Day Services to Honor 37 Workers Who Died on the Job in 2025
Portland and Salem, Ore. – After at least 37 workers died on the job or as a result from workplace injuries in Oregon during 2025, the Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, and the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) will hold Workers’ Memorial Day services in Portland and Salem on April 28.
Each year, OSHA releases the list of workers that died while on the job in the prior year. Often, these fatalities are preventable, but underfunding of health and safety agencies and insufficient labor violation oversight lead to dozens of deaths each year.
“Workers’ Memorial Day is first and foremost a time to honor the workers who died on the job,” Oregon Labor Federation President Graham Trainor said. “It’s also imperative that we continue to fight until there’s a year where no workers die on the job.”
Workers' Memorial Day is observed annually on April 28, commemorating the enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)*, which affirms every worker's fundamental right to a safe workplace. The Oregon Labor Federation, the statewide federation of labor unions representing over 300,000 workers, holds services annually to honor the workers that died the previous year and reemphasize the need for safer working conditions.
Workers’ Memorial Day is especially critical this year, as the United States sees federal moves to decrease safety regulations and cut funding for agencies that enforce safety laws. Since January 2025, the Trump Administration has issued dozens of executive orders to eliminate or significantly weaken existing workplace safety regulations.
“Under the current administration, we are fighting daily attacks on our safety and health agencies and our very right to live,” Trainor said. “On this solemn day, we honor the workers who did not make it home and demand increased safety, more severe consequences for safety violators, and dignity at work,” Trainor said.
The Oregon Labor Federation holds these services to honor the workers whom our country and state have failed, to demand action to hold employers accountable, and to demand more government resources devoted to worker safety.
The Oregon Labor Federation and Oregon OSHA will be joined at these services by elected officials, including members of the State Legislature and the Portland City Council, union members, and faith leaders.
WHEN/WHERE: Tuesday, April 28
Portland Service: 9:30 a.m. at the Eastbank Esplanade beside Portland Fire and Rescue Station 21.
Salem Service: 12:00 p.m. at the Fallen Worker Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol Mall.
