Sisters and Brothers,
On April 28th, please join with
us in remembering our fallen Sisters and Brothers who have been
killed, injured, or suffered illness as a result of work-related
incidents.
We also honour the families and
friends who have been deeply affected by these tragedies. In
addition to remembrance, we must all take this opportunity to renew
our never-ending commitment to health and safety and continue the
fight to end these senseless tragedies.
In Canada, each year over 900
workers are killed and over 250,000 claims are filed for lost time
injuries/diseases according to the Association of Workers’
Compensation Boards of Canada. All accidents are preventable and the
TCRC is committed to advocating for improved safety to put an end to
these senseless tragedies.
The National Day of Mourning
commemorates workers who have been killed, injured or suffered
illness due to workplace related hazards and incidents. In 1985, the
Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) declared April 28th as an annual day
of remembrance and in December 1990, parliament passed the Workers
Mourning Day Act proclaiming April 28th an official Workers’
Mourning Day.
Since its inception, the
observance has spread to over 80 countries around the world but is
known in most other countries as the Workers’ Memorial Day. In 2001,
the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of
the United Nations, observed this date as World Day for Safety and
Health at Work. April 28th was chosen because on that date in 1914
the first Workers Compensation Act in Canada became law.
The Canadian flag on Parliament
Hill will be flown at half-mast and workers around the country will
observe this day by lighting candles, donning ribbons and black
armbands, and observing moments of silence.
We will be requesting that the
carriers acknowledge the Day of Mourning by issuing a bulletin and
providing our members the opportunity to observe a moment of silence
where operational duties allow.
Importantly this year’s National
Day of Mourning marks the first time we can once again gather in
person and show our respect and honor our fallen Sisters and
Brothers.
Members are encouraged if able to
attend in person events throughout all major cities in Canada to
honor those who have lost their lives as a result of their jobs in
the preceding year.
As we all journey together
through the end of the worldwide pandemic this years National Day of
Mourning highlights our need to refocus our commitment to prevent
future workplace injuries and deaths.
The National Day of Mourning
reinforces the need for all of us to defend our basic rights at work
that are protected in health and safety statutes in every
jurisdiction in Canada.
Those three basic rights are:
Right to know about the hazards in their workplace and receive the training they need to be able to do their jobs safely.
Right to participate in decisions that could affect their health and safety.
Right to refuse
work that could endanger their health and safety or that of
others. The right to refuse is not the first step to protect
workers. This is a serious, sometimes necessary step that no
worker takes lightly.
Although the law demands your
employer provide protection from danger and hazards arising out of,
linked with, or occurring in the course of employment, our
membership must ensure their personal safety is protected by
considering the potential consequences in every action and decision
they make both on the job and at home.
As we mourn for the dead,
Teamsters Rail continues to fight for the living.
Fraternally,
Don Ashley
National
National Legislative Director
