News from New York State Department of Labor

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Labor Department Remembers 97th Anniversary of Sweatshop Fire

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Tragedy Led to First Anti-Sweatshop Legislation of its Kind

ALBANY, NY (03/18/2008; 1318)(readMedia)-- State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith today joined state legislative and union leaders to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire, which led to the tragic death of 146 garment workers. At a ceremony at the Empire State Plaza, Commissioner Smith acknowledged the importance of the fire, which significantly changed worker protection laws.

On March 25, 1911, fire swept through the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, trapping workers on the top three floors of a 10-story building, where exits were locked and fire escapes were defective. The tremendous public outcry that followed the tragedy led New York State to enact many of the first significant worker protection laws in the nation.

Commissioner Smith said, “Each year we honor the victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, and pledge to never forget their sacrifice by continuing our efforts to provide safe workplaces for all New Yorkers. Thanks in part to additional investigative staff and increased cooperation with community-based organizations, over the past year we have increased our efforts to prosecute individuals who flagrantly violate New York’s garment laws.”

Assemblymember Susan John, Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee said, “The Triangle Shirtwaist Company workers will never be forgotten. This tragedy, and the men and women who lost their lives, remind us that we must remain vigilant as a state and as a people to fight for the rights, health, and safety of all workers and their families.”

Senator Joseph E. Robach, Chair of the Senate Labor Committee said, “The Triangle Shirtwaist fire was a tragic event that brought on the needed changes to our state laws in order to ensure the protection of the hard working men and women of New York. This unfortunate tragedy in our history serves as a constant reminder of our need to continue providing safe working conditions for people working in our great state. As Chairman of the State Senate Labor Committee, I will proudly champion these efforts.”

Senator Serphin R. Maltese (Queens) said, “The tragic death of 146 young women garment workers, almost all teenage girls and young women, in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire 96 years ago led to the first serious labor safety laws in the nation and was a dramatic impetus to the American Labor movement. My grandmother and two aunts were among those killed in the tragedy. My brother, Vincent Maltese, is president of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Memorial Society and this anniversary is a solemn occasion in my family. I commend the efforts of the State Labor Department to ensure that we never forget the tough lessons learned on that fateful day.”

The New York State Department of Labor enforces state garment wage and hour laws through its Apparel Industry Task Force (AITF). The AITF is the first investigative unit of its kind in the nation and conducts more than 1,200 inspections of firms throughout New York City’s garment sector each year. Task Force members investigate garment manufacturers and contractors to inspect working conditions, review employee records and examine registration certificates. The AITF issues violation notices to businesses that break state laws covering registration, child labor, wages and benefits, working hours and industrial homework. In addition, the Task Force refers any unsafe working conditions to the appropriate state, local or federal authorities.

After the Triangle fire, Frances Perkins was a member of the Factory Investigating Commission that successfully recommended stronger safety measures. After being named New York State Commissioner of Labor in 1929, she was appointed the United States Secretary of Labor in 1933 and was the first woman federal cabinet official in American history. At a 50th anniversary memorial observance, Ms. Perkins said of the Triangle workers, “They did not die in vain, and we will never forget them.”

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