As women and siblings in the trades, as welders, and as fellow workers, we are deeply saddened and angered by the tragic murder of Amber Czech. Amber’s death is a painful reminder of the urgent need to address workplace violence, especially in industries like ours where safety should be paramount.
Every day, we go to work with the expectation that we will return home safely to our families. Yet, according to OSHA, workplace violence is the third leading cause of death in environments like Amber’s. We firmly believe that these acts of violence are preventable. It is our collective responsibility to foster workplaces where frustrations and disagreements are met with dialogue, empathy, and understanding—not violence.
Workplace violence was the leading cause of workplace fatalities for women as recently as 2017. This is unacceptable. We call on our peers, employers, educators, and community leaders to work together to make our trade schools, training centers, and job sites safe and neutral spaces for all. Safety must be a shared value, and conflict resolution must be a taught and practiced skill. If you become aware of hostility, anger or aggression between coworkers or colleagues, please tell someone.
We extend our deepest condolences to Amber’s family, friends, and community. We will honor her memory by continuing to build relationships that bridge differences in opinion, background, and values. Amber will not be forgotten.
Let us stand united in our commitment to safety, respect, and solidarity in the trades.
