Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Sisters and Brothers:

In 1984, the Canadian Labour Congress, and its affiliated Unions, including the PSAC, established April 28th as the National Day of Mourning to honour workers killed or injured on the job.

At that time, 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. In 2005, the last year that the AWCBC has released statistics for, 1,097 workers were killed on the job due to workplace injuries.

However, we know that these statistics are grossly underestimated and that the real number of deaths resulting from occupational illness and disease, and other workerplace 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.

Since 1984, it is estimated that more than 19,000 workers have been killed on the job and more than 20,000,000 workers have been injured while at work.

This year the theme for the Day of Mourning as adopted by the Canadian Labour Congress is Safe and Healthy Workplaces for all Workers.

The Labour movement has and continues to diligently work to gain many health and safety protection 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 enhanced health and safety protections that we have fought for such as the improved right to refuse unsafe work, which now recognizes a worker’s right to refuse work if there is a hazard that might cause an injury.

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.

Below you will find three publications from the Canadian Labour Congress that will help in the planning for Day of Mourning activities: a National Day of Mourning Action Checklist; Resource Information for the 2007 Day of Mourning; and Notes for the National Day of Mourning.

• Canada’s National Day of Mourning Ceremony Poster
• ACTION CHECKLIST For local unions & labour councils
• Resource Information for 2007 Day of Mourning
• Notes for National Day of Mourning April 28th, 2007

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,