Arizona Workers Memorial

Phoenix, Arizona

It was a decade-long struggle, but a memorial honoring Arizona workers killed or injured on the job was unveiled at Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix this Labor Day. AFSCME Council 97 was among the groups that convinced former Gov. Fife Symington to sign the bill approving the memorial five years ago, and helped raise funds for its design, construction and dedication. The bronze sculpture, by local artist Clarke Riedy, is named “El Pasaje” (“The Passage”), and depicts a working family. David Mendoza, Council 97 legislative director, says the statue’s placement facing the state capitol, “will help focus lawmakers’ attention on worker safety every day.”