On Tuesday morning, a crowd assembled to celebrate Workers' Memorial Day for those who lost their lives while on job.

The event was organized by the Allegheny County Labor Council and many labor unions. It acknowledged nine local workers who passed away since the last Memorial Day.

Dr. Charles McCollester, retired IUP labor professor, said, "We gather today as always with the words of Mother Jones committed in our hearts. Mourn for the dead and fight like hell for the living. The first Workers Memorial Day that I emceed had 35 workers killed that year. This year we commemorate nine, still too many".

According to Allegheny County Labor Council president Jack Shea, nationally, the numbers are not good as 150 workers die every day on job either from an injury or an illness.

McColleste added that it requires a lot of hard work to maintain a good safety record on the work site, especially during a construction boom.

He mentioned that with all the building construction being done in Pittsburgh, they are proud of the labor management efforts that ensures the safely of the workers.

While unions signaled about their special role to focus on worker safety, there is requirement of partnership among management, unions, and workers to meet the goal of zero injuries and zero fatalities.

Shea noted that they expect the workers to go home at the end of their shift or the end of their day at work to have dinner with their family.