by David LeGrande, Director of Labor Outreach Strategy for the Healthy Work Campaign
Some 400 occupational and environmental safety and health activists from the labor movement, worker centers, and public health community descended upon the Maritime Trades Training Center in Linthicum Heights, Maryland to participate in the National Conference on Worker Safety and Health (“COSHCON”)* December 6-8, 2023.
Featuring several plenary and 35 workshop-based sessions on a wide variety of topics (from ergonomics, work organization and mental health; using safety and health in organizing campaigns; worker safety and health committees; worker safety and health rights; and peer training and collaboration), participants displayed incredible enthusiasm and solidarity during the three-day conference.
Of importance, U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su presented moving remarks encouraging participants to become more involved in workplace safety and health activities. Ending on a high note, conference participants pledged to work harder and produce amazing results.
The Healthy Work Campaign was proud to participate with a table at the Expo, with the help of Rachel Vangeenhoven of Worksafe.** Several hundred educational materials*** were distributed resulting in several conversations with conference participants and related sign-ups. In addition, our materials were distributed to 36 participants in a mental health workshop with additional sign-ups and potential contacts. Further, I anticipate we will receive a request to participate in the August USW/CWA Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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