WATERLOO - The Black Hawk Union Council AFL-CIO will hold a Worker Memorial Day observance at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Balck Hawk Labor Temple, 1695 Burton Ave.

It is an observance in recognition of workers killed or injured over the past year.

A new AFL-CIO report to be release Thursday indicates that Iowa ranks fifth worst int he nation for worker injury and illness, with 64,900 workplace injuries and illnesses in 2003, for an average of 6.7 injuries or illnesses per 100 workers, worse that the national average of 5 injuries or illnesses per 100 workers.

Wyoming, Alaska and Montana had the highest fatality rates while Delaware, Connecticut, and Massachusetts had the lowest.

Despite prevailing job safety challenges and mounting costs, federal resources devoted to job safety and health protections remain inadequate, the AFL-CIO report said.