Hi Everyone,
On April 28 it is the Day of Mourning. Below is information about what is happening this year to commemorate those that have been killed, injured, or suffered illness as a result of their work.
Thanks,
Sandra
Sisters, Brothers and Friends,
Tuesday, April 28th is the Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job.
Please find below a link for the New Westminster & District Labour Council virtual ceremony. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to gather in person this year. But it is because of the unprecedented risks to health and safety that workers are facing right now that we felt it was imperative to mark the day, remember those we have lost to a workplace injury, stand with those who have suffered a serious injury, and honour the dedication and commitment of first responders, healthcare and front line workers as they go to work every day as others stay home to flatten the curve and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OfRkYjuQgoyodg_stP9hdvbQFkb9L9Qs
Attached is a copy of the ceremony program, which runs about 30 minutes. It has been sent out early so that you can schedule time for remembrance on Tuesday. We are very grateful to everyone who participated, especially to the union leaders whose members are among those on the front lines right now: Coleen Jones, Pacific Region Director of the CUPW; Stephanie Smith, President of the BCGEU; Val Avery, President HSABC; Barb Nederpel, President of the HEU; and Kim Novak, President of UFCW 1518.
We also invite you to join with us at 7:00pm on April 28th to light a candle or turn on a light to remember the fallen, rededicate yourself to health and safety at work, and to honour those on the front lines right now.
We appreciate the words of Dr. Bonnie Henry: stay safe, maintain a physical distance, wash your hands and be kind.
Subject: Day of Mourning Information – BC Federation of Labour
To: BCFED Standing Committees
BCFED Workers’ Compensation Advocacy Working Group
Dear Friends,
I wanted to let you know about the plans for this year’s commemoration of the National Day of Mourning on April 28.
As you know, the National Day of Mourning honours the memory of workers who have been killed, injured, or suffered illness as a result of their work. This is one of the most sacred days on our calendar.
It causes all of us real pain to know we can’t gather in person this year because of the pandemic – which is itself a reminder of the dangers facing working people. But this date is too important for us to allow it to go unmarked.
So once again we are co-sponsoring the Day of Mourning along with the WCB, the Business Council of BC and the Vancouver and District Labour Council. This year, instead of a face-to-face event, we will be observing the day with a virtual ceremony. It begins at 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.
Please join us then at https://DayOfMourning.bc.ca. And encourage friends, colleagues and members to come too. We may be separated by this pandemic, but we can still be together in grief, condolence and solidarity.
We’ll mourn the dead and fight for the living. That means we recommit to our efforts to protect the safety and well-being of working people by:
- Improving workplace health and safety;
- Rigorously enforcing occupational health and safety regulations – and holding those who violate them to account;
- Preserving the dignity of the thousands of workers who suffer injury or illness; and
- Ensuring full compensation to those who have been hurt at work.
Together, we’ll do all we can to reach the goal I know you and I share: a province where every worker can go home safe and healthy at the end of every workday.