Health and Safety
April 28, 2009 – National Day of Mourning
Sisters and Brothers:
April 28, 2009 will mark the 25th anniversary of the National Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job. The National Day of Mourning was started in 1984 as an initiative of the Canadian Labour movement and this day of reflection is now established around the world.
In 1984, according to the official figures listed by the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), 744 workers were listed as having died from workplace injuries. But instead of seeing and improvement is this tragic situation, the past 25 years has actually seen an increase in the number of workplace fatalities. In 2007, the last year that the AWCBC has released statistics for, 1,055 workers were killed on the job due to workplace injuries.
In those 25 years, some 25,000 workers have died from injuries and work related diseases in Canada.
However, we know that these statistics are grossly underestimated and that the real number of deaths resulting from occupational illness and disease, and other workplace factors are never included in these official statistics, as it is extremely difficult to prove that deaths that are caused by occupational disease, such as cancer, are caused by exposure to hazards in the workplace.
Internationally, workers around the world are at risk and millions die needlessly every year.
We can stop it. The path to success in the fight against workplace fatalities is no mystery.
The Labour movement has and continues to diligently work to gain many health and safety protections for workers through legislation and collective bargaining.
However, there continues to be a serious lack of commitment on behalf of governments at the provincial and particularly at the federal level to enforce the health and safety protections that we have fought for such as the right to refuse unsafe work.
Governments everywhere must live up to their obligations to uphold and enforce workplace laws that protect workers’ safety.
Workers and their representative need to mount concerted efforts to demand that the health protections that Labour has fought for are enforced by governments and that charges are laid when there are serious injuries or death in the workplace due to employer negligence.
Locals should ensure that on April 28th a minutes silence is observed at 11:00 A.M. in all work locations and that the Canadian flag is lowered to half mast at all federal buildings and establishments.
Members in all Locals should be encouraged to participate in the Day of Mourning observances organized by the Local or Local Labour Council. As well, Locals should ensure that the PSAC is well represented at their District Labour Council’s Day of Mourning events.
Let us collectively ensure that this year’s Day of Mourning observances sends a strong message to all governments of their obligation and responsibility to strongly enforce health and safety laws and regulations.
In Solidarity,
Jean-Francois Des Lauriers
Regional Executive Vice-President
North
Kay Sinclair
Regional Executive Vice-President
British Columbia
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Date Modified : 2009/04/27
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