LEWISTON — Returning as an in-person gathering for the first time in two years, the 16th annual May Day Dinner, organized by the Western Maine Labor Council, was held Sunday evening at Davinci’s Eatery to honor workers lost to workplace accidents and illnesses, and those who have lobbied to improve working conditions.

Servers carrying trays of beer and food hurried in and out of the restaurant’s back room, which was bustling with activity and conversation as union members and their families gathered to mark Workers Memorial Day, which is recognized nationwide every April 28.

“We’re going to recognize some people here tonight for what they’ve done for the community at large, as well as people who lost their lives in the workplace and the more we can trim that down with doing things right and having the right legislation in front of us to help make that a reality, the more we can keep workplace deaths down,” said Don Nazaroff, a labor and management representative at Sheet Metal Workers Local 17.

According to information provided in this year’s “Death on the Job” report compiled by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), 20 Mainers died in workplace fatalities in 2020, which ranks Maine 20th in workplace fatalities in the nation.

About 16,700 workplace injuries and fatalities occurred in private industry in 2020, resulting in a rate of 4.3 out of every 100 workers, which far exceeds the national average of 2.7.

The report lists a national average of 120,000 workers who have died from occupational diseases in 2020, and more than 4,764 workers were killed on the job, with Black and Latino workers at a higher risk of dying from job related injuries.

Employers reported almost 3.2 million work-related injuries and illnesses, although due to underreporting, the true number of reported cases actually falls between 5.4 and 8.1 million, according to officials.

Following the dinner, three awards recognizing champions of workers’ rights and workplace safety were announced, bookended by a prayer for fallen workers led by the Rev. Holly Morrison of the Phippsburg Congregational Church.

Richard A. Grandmaison, a retired member of Sheetmetal Workers Local 545, was awarded the Bruce D. Roy Award, named for a former secretary-treasurer of the Maine AFL-CIO.

“I didn’t do what I did to get awards,” said Grandmaison, 79.

A sheet metal worker by trade, Grandmaison eventually became a representative for the U.S. Department of Labor, before retiring in 2006.

The Worker’s Solidarity Award was given to the Bates Educators & Staff Organization, which was accepted by Darlene Zupancic on its behalf.

“I am very honored on behalf of the organizing committee,” said Zupancic, 55, of Greene. “What an amazing award. We have worked very hard as a group to take the high road and to be very compassionate with one another as we gain our solidarity together and this award represents all that we’ve been working towards.”

State Rep. Ryan Fecteau, speaker of Maine House of Representatives, was awarded the Frances Perkins Award for his efforts to “pass laws enhancing the lives of working people in Maine,” according to the Western Maine Labor Council.

“I am incredibly grateful,” Fecteau said. “It’s a culmination of my legislative work and standing up for workers who have not had the chance to be recognized.”

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