On April 28, 2006, PSAC members will join with our sisters and brothers in all communities across the country to observe the National Day of Mourning in order to remember our fellow workers who have been killed or injured in the workplace.

This year marks the 22nd Anniversary of the Day of Mourning in Canada, which was first established in 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). In 1991, after a long and hard struggle, the Canadian labour movement was successful in having the Day of Mourning recognized by the Parliament of Canada.

MOURN THE DEAD

Each year over seven hundred and fifty workers die in Canada due to workplace injuries. It is of note that these statistics do not include the numerous workers that die each year from occupational diseases such as cancer.

Additionally, over 800,000 workplace accidents occur each year in Canada, with approximately 400,000 of these accidents resulting in disabling injuries. In other words, a Canadian worker gets hurt on the job every 9 seconds.

Despite these horrific statistics, governments in Canada are systematically weakening health and safety laws and refusing to provide the tools to enforce existing health and safety laws. Due to the effects of the liberalization of trade on a global scale, as jobs are outsourced to other countries with less stringent health and safety structures, pressure is placed on governments in Canada to either weaken existing provisions or be less stringent in enforcement.

ORGANIZING OUR WORKPLACES!

Report all workplace hazards to your immediate supervisor and ensure that your workplace health and safety representative is also aware of these hazards.

If possible, get active on the workplace joint health and safety committee or support your workplace health and safety representatives. Participate in all PSAC health and safety campaigns in the workplace. Participate in the Collective Bargaining process to fight for improved health and safety provisions in our Collective Agreements.

DAY OF MOURNING ACTIVITIES

On April 28th, PSAC members should take some time to remember our brothers and sisters who have been killed or injured on the job, and reaffirm our commitment to improve occupational health and safety and working conditions in our workplaces.

On April 28th, PSAC members should observe a minute of silence in our workplaces at 11:00 A.M. to remember these brothers and sisters. Members should also ensure that employers have lowered the Canadian flag at the worksite to half mast. On April 28th, PSAC members should also participate in local ‘Day of Mourning' observances organized in their communities by their local Labour Councils, Federations of Labour and/or Locals.

In the National Capital Region, a ceremony will be held over lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Vincent Massey Park. Representatives from your PSAC Regional Health and Safety Committee will participate at this event. Should you be able to join us, please contact Dominic Lavoie, Regional Representative, Health and Safety at (819) 777- 4647 or lavoied@psac.com.