'Over a century of progress:' State College community gathers for Workers' Memorial Day

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ)-- Officials came together to bring awareness to Workers' Memorial Day, a holiday known across the world that honors those who lost their lives in the workplace.

Members of the community gathered inside the State College Borough Building for the ceremony commemorating Workers' Memorial Day. One thing was made clear, workers in Pennsylvania need more protection.

"We are called here today through tragedy in recognition of the work that must be done to defend over a century of progress for working families." President of Seven Mountains Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO Connor Lewis said.

Workers' Memorial Day began after the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed in 1970 to give all workers safe and healthy working conditions.

There are 25 states -- not including Pennsylvania-- that have adopted Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) policies for all workers. In the commonwealth, only private-section workers must follow OSHA procedures, but the newly passed Jake Schwab Worker Safety Bill (HB 299) by the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee would make sure all workers have to. The legislation is expected to head to the house before going to the Senate.