(Radio Iowa) – Workers’ memorial events were held in communities across Iowa on Monday to remember the Iowans who’ve died in the workplace. In a Sioux City union hall, a bell was rung as the names were read of the 45 Iowans who died on the job last year. Union leaders say they worry the Trump Administration will continue cutting OSHA, including inspectors, who help keep employees safe on the job. Jennifer Pellant is president of the Western Iowa Labor Federation that oversees 37 counties, for cities including Sioux City, Fort Dodge, and Council Bluffs.

Jennifer Pellant, president of the Western Iowa Labor Federation (Photo by Sheila Brummer)

“We need to make them as safe as we possibly can,” Pellant says. “We need to make sure those workplaces are being inspected and we need to make sure people working those environments are old enough and experienced enough and trained enough.” Pellant worries the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, is making drastic and dangerous cuts to OSHA. “It was already at a terribly low cost to Americans. We weren’t investing enough in worker safety, and now that’s one the things they’re trying to cut,” she says. “That’s not a good recipe for protecting Americans at work.”

Workers’ Memorial Day is April 28th, the anniversary of the signing of the Occupational Safety and Health Act into law.