The National Day of Mourning, held annually in Canada on April 28, is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives, or suffered injury or illness on the job or due to a work-related tragedy.

Every year on April 28 we pay our respects to, and remember, the thousands of workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness as a result of work-related incidents.

We also honour the many families and friends who have been deeply affected by these tragedies.

Every worker has the right to return home safe and sound at the end of each work day.

By working together – with employers, workers and our health and safety partners – we can prevent worker injuries and deaths before they occur.

Observance

The National Day of Mourning is not only a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy, but also a day to renew the commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths.

On April 28th the Canadian flag will fly at half-mast on Parliament Hill and on all federal government buildings. Employers and workers will observe Day of Mourning in a variety of ways. Some light candles, lay wreaths, wear commemorative pins, ribbons or black armbands, and pause for a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m.

History

In 1991, eight years after the day of remembrance was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress, the Parliament of Canada passed the Workers Mourning Day Act making April 28 an official Day of Mourning. Today the Day of Mourning has since spread to about 100 countries around the world and is recognized as Workers’ Memorial Day, and as International Workers’ Memorial Day by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

It is the hope of CCOHS that the annual observance of this day will help strengthen the resolve to establish safe and healthy conditions in the workplace, and prevent further injuries and deaths. As much as this is a day to remember the dead, it is also a call to protect the living and make work a place to thrive.

Show your commitment

@ Work Centres near you.

Bell Canada issues layoff notices while outsourcing Wireless to the Home project

April 18, 2019

TORONTO– Unifor cries foul at Bell Canada’s decision to layoff technicians and outsource major Wireless to the Home project.

“By issuing layoff notices with one hand and contracting out work with the other, Bell is continuing its long history of job erosion at Bell Canada,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.  “The launch of a program like Wireless to the Home should be good news for people who work at Bell, but instead the company chose to exclusively hire non-union contractors.”

On Thursday, April 18, 2019, 76 technicians received layoff notices from Bell Canada across Ontario and Quebec.

Bell’s Wireless to the Home project is a large-scale investment connecting rural Canadians with wireless high-speed internet, launching first in Ontario and Quebec. The federal government provides funding to Bell for many rural projects, likely including this one. Federal government investment needs to support good jobs.

 

Press Release Bell Layoffs and WTTH Apr 18.19

 

We would like to extend congratulations to newly trained Woman’s Advocate for BTS Clerical, Robin Whaley, we know she will do a tremendous job in this role advocating for members

 

In Solidarity,

 

Lee, Brian, Chris