COMMEMORATING THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FIRE

WHEREAS, March 25, 2011, will be the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire; and

WHEREAS, this fire was responsible for the deaths of nearly 150 workers, almost all of them young immigrant women whose demise was caused by dangerous and exploitative working conditions driven by profit and greed; and

WHEREAS, their deaths helped to inspire women workers to organize unions and fight for better working conditions and helped to initiate an occupational safety movement that still lives on today; and

WHEREAS, various activities will be taking place in New York City, sponsored by the Triangle Fire Remembrance Coalition, and around the nation/world sponsored by a variety of organizations commemorating the sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the fire; and

WHEREAS, the American Federation of Teachers is a union with a high proportion of women members and a strong history of fighting for safe working conditions:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers endorse and participate in the Triangle Fire Remembrance Coalition and encourage AFT member locals to participate in other such coalitions as may be sponsoring commemorative events in other locales to further and support such work; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT prepare and disseminate materials suitable for various grade levels related to the fire and its historical importance to member locals around the country so that they can encourage teachers to teach about this event; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT publish an educational article related to this event in one of its publications or on its website and that the national union encourage member locals to do the same in their local publications.