Triangle Fire Commemoration; 98th Anniversary of The Fire That Changed America
For Immediate Release
March 26, 2009
Aimee Jennings, Unite Here
(646) 283-3338
Triangle Fire Commemoration
98th Anniversary of The Fire That Changed America
What: UNITE HERE commemorates the 98th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, which killed 146 immigrant garment workers on March 25, 1911. The Triangle Fire galvanized the city to fight for labor reforms in the workplace - a struggle that continues to this day.
In addition to memorializing those who lost their lives in the Triangle Fire, some of the event speakers will discuss the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation that makes it easier for workers to form a union. A union job means proper safety precautions on the job and protection from retaliation when employees speak out about unsafe working conditions.
The ceremony will include the tolling of bells as students read the names of and lay a flower for each of the 146 garment workers killed in the fire.
Where: Greenwich Village on the Corner of Washington Place & Greene Street- just east of Washington Square Park.
When: Friday March 27, 2009 noon-1:00PM
Who: Ed Vargas, Unite Here
Rabbi Michael Fienberg, Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition
May Chen, Secretary- Treasurer of New York Metropolitan Area Joint Board Local 23-25
Nicolas Scoppeta, Commissioner of the New York Fire Department
Donatila Alvarez, member of the Coalition of Injured Cintas Workers
William Thompson, New York City Comptroller
Robert Astrowsky, United Federation of Teachers
Ed Ott, Executive Director, NYC Central Labor Council
Joel Shufro, Executive Director of the NY Committee for Occupational Safety and Health
and New York City School Children
www.unitehere.org
