By Jeremy Liu, International Labor Rights Forum

Even today with collective bargaining discussions in Wisconsin and even the NFL, it remains an important step for worker’s health and safety. No event highlights that importance of collective bargaining than the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire that occurred 100 years ago today. On March 25th 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire at the Asch Building on 29 Washington Place took the lives of 147 young Italian and Jewish migrant women. It was the deadliest workplace disaster in the history of New York City until the events of September 11th. 

One of the most significant event to commemorate the Triangle Fire will take place will take place at 4:45 EST, when churches, schools, and fire houses across the country ring a bell. This was the exact time the first fire alarms sounded in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.

Events throughout the nation are taking place to remember the Triangle Fire. One of the leading groups organizing this is the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition in New York City. In cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco Laborfest local events are being organized. While in the nation’s capital, the International Labor Rights Forum is holding an awards ceremony and reception in Washington DC on April 6th to reflect upon the legacy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and to honor groups and individuals who have shown an extraordinary commitment to workers in the US and around the world.