US Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issues statement on worker deaths

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on worker deaths:

"Yesterday we received the sad news that another worker died from injuries he sustained from the fire earlier this month at the Tesoro Corp.'s Anacortes, Wash., refinery. That brings to seven the number who lost their lives in that tragedy. Today the families and friends of those workers gather to mourn their loss. They are in our prayers, and our hearts go out to them.

"Today, President Obama and I join the families and friends of the 29 miners who died this month at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia at a memorial service in honor of those who perished.

"These tragedies, along with the explosion and fire aboard the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig last week in the Gulf of Mexico, which has left 11 workers missing, makes this a difficult month for the American worker.

"Indeed, each day in this country, 14 workers lose their lives on the job. That is 14 workers too many.

"Later this week, we will mark Workers' Memorial Day. Let us take the time to reflect on and honor the love and contributions of those we've lost and to re-focus our efforts on not only providing secure and rewarding jobs for every American worker, but safe ones as well."