Could Proposed N.Y. Triangle Fire Bill Lead to Better Workplace Safety?

By Richard Greenwald

State Senator Kevin Parker of Brooklyn, a Democrat and majority whip, recently introduced a bill to establish the ​“Triangle Shirtwaist Fire 100^th anniversary commemoration commission” in the state of New York.

The proposed bill calls for a commission of 13 individuals who will be trusted with commemorating the Triangle Fire. These 13 commissioners would organize events, lectures and a state curriculum on the topic — all to coincide with the 100^th Anniversary of the Fire on March 25, 2011.

This is important for a number of reasons, but it was brought home to me today as I read about the loss of more than 25 West Virginia coal miners. Workers still toil in unsafe conditions. We witness a chorus of would’ves and should’ves as we learn about the signs of what could be viewed as impending disaster. But, after the funerals, and an initial investigation, the public forgets the victims, leaving mourning families, friends and communities.

New York Senator Parker’s bill might allow us to not just remember the 146 victims of the fire, but to reconnect their history to ours. Through history, we might be able to enlarge the public discourse on worker safety and health to impact current understandings of American workplaces. I wish Senator Parker well and I hope that the proposed commission lives up to its promise. 146 victims deserve as much.