Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

While the Canadian flag on Parliament Hill flies at half-mast on April 28, workers observe a moment of silence in remembrance of those workers killed or seriously injured on the job.

The National Day of Mourning was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, eight years after it was launched by the labour movement in Canada. The Day of Mourning has since spread to over 80 countries around the world. Here is a list of Day of Mourning events in BC (pdf).

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Parliamentary Employment Staff Relations Act. The PSAC is asking all of its members to support our sisters and brothers who work on Parliament Hill who are still not covered by any health and safety laws. The federal government passed a piece of legislation specifically for Parliamentary employees back in 1986, but never proclaimed the provision enacting the health and safety legislation.

Health and safety is a fundamental right for all workers. The workers on Parliament Hill are the only workers left in Canada who are not covered by any basic health and safety legislation. How ironic that the federal government lowers the flag on April 28 but has yet to enact a piece of legislation to cover the health and safety of its own workers.

The PSAC is asking that all members send a letter to your Member of Parliament urging the government to proclaim Part III (Occupational Health and Safety) of the Parliamentary Employment Staff Relations Act. You can fax a letter to your MP at action.web.ca.

Please take a moment to stop and remember all workers injured or killed on the job. The annual observance of the Day of Mourning strengthens everyone’s resolve not only to establish safe conditions in the workplace for all, but to finally change the culture and end the carnage in workplaces from coast to coast to coast. Governments and employers must loosen their purse strings and take all possible action to ensure that workplaces are safe, that workplace Health and Safety committees are fully functional, and that every Canadian worker is trained and aware.

It is not just a day to remember our dead. It is a call to fight for the living.