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Greetings Sisters and Brothers:

A responsibility lays on all of us to do everything possible to assure our work places are as safe as possible. There is nothing more tragic than a work place fatality. Thousands of workers die each year as a result of work place injuries or illnesses. As many of you are aware, the year 2012 was a particularly tragic year for UAW members. We had five workplace fatalities in the UAW in 2012.

Assuring work place safety should be a priority in everything we do. I am proud of the efforts Region 2-B Leadership and our membership has put forth in 2013, and I am even more pleased to report that there has not been a single work place fatality in the UAW in the entire calendar year 2013 and there has not been a fatality so far this year. Congratulations and thank you to all who have made that extra effort to assure our members go home to their families at the end of their shift.

Keeping safety on the front of everyone's mind is a must. April 28 is Worker Memorial Day. This year our theme is: "Safe Jobs, Save Lives, Make Your Voices Heard". I am asking each Local Union President and Bargaining Unit Chairperson to plan a Worker Memorial Day event at your worksite or Local Union hall, and to do all you can to encourage participation of our members and employers. Let's make 2014 and beyond, free of work place fatalities. We owe that to our fellow workers, our families, and to ourselves.

In Solidarity,

Ken Lortz, Director
Region 2-B UAW