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National Day of Mourning – April 28th

Source

https://www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning/

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

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#dayofmourning

Marked annually in Canada on April 28, the National Day of Mourning 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.

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 collectively renew our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths.

How to support

Traditionally on April 28th the Canadian flag has flown at half-mast on Parliament Hill and on all federal government buildings. Employers and workers have observed Day of Mourning in a variety of ways over the years. Some have lit candles, laid wreaths, worn commemorative pins, ribbons or black armbands, and paused for a moment of silence.Whether employees are currently working remotely or onsite, we encourage organizations, communities, and individuals to hold or support an event, or to simply observe a moment of silence at 11:00 am on April 28. Consider sharing or playing our moment of silence video in your workplace to honour those who have died, or suffered injury or illness due to a work-related tragedy.Employers and individuals can also show their support and commitment to a safe workplace by promoting the social media cards and messages provided on this page. By sharing these messages, you are reminding more people to put health and safety at the forefront of their work and helping to prevent further work-related injuries and loss of life.

Beyond the statistics

The most recent statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) tell us that in 2019, 925 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada. 882 were male workers, and 43 were female workers. Among these deaths were 29 young workers aged 15-24.Add to these fatalities the 271,806 accepted claims (an increase from 264,438 the previous year) for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease, including 33,615 from workers aged 15-24, and the fact that these statistics only include what is reported and accepted by the compensation boards, there is no doubt that the total number of workers impacted is even greater.And it’s not just these numbers on which we need to reflect. With each worker tragedy there are loved ones, family members, friends and co-workers who are directly affected, left behind, and deeply impacted – their lives also forever changed.

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 more than 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, illnesses, 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 where people can thrive.

Source: Fatalities, by Age and Jurisdiction 2019, Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), National Work Injury/Disease Statistics Program (NWISP)

Source: Lost Time Claims, by Age and Jurisdiction, 2019, Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), National Work Injury/Disease Statistics Program (NWISP)

For further statistical information visit the AWCBC National Work Injuries Statistics Program.

Watch the video

Commemorate Day of Mourning by watching and sharing this video.Show your commitment

Show your commitment by sharing the following messages on your social media channels.

Day of Mourning postcard with ducks

Day of Mourning postcard with ducks

Pause. Reflect. Remember.

At 11 a.m., I will honour workers who have died, were injured, or became ill from their job.

Day of Mourning postcard

Day of Mourning postcard with dandelions and seeds

Pause. Reflect. Remember. Renew.

At 11 a.m., we will honour workers who have died, were injured, or became ill from their job, and will renew our commitment to health and safety in the workplace.

Day of Mourning postcard

Day of Mourning postcard with candles

We remember workers who have died, were injured, or became ill from their job. We commit to protecting workers and preventing further workplace tragedies.

Day of Mourning postcard

Day of Mourning postcard with grievers

We grieve with those whose lives were forever changed by a workplace tragedy

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Bell Atlantic Bargaining Bulletin Update #4

Dear Members,

During the week of April 11-15, your bargaining committee worked through multiple items and prioritized making a clear presentation of the membership’s position on teleworking.  In our region, approximately 550 members are deemed to be remote or mobile, while others have been directed to return to the office with no recourse based on a policy (Bell Workways) that is entirely employer-directed.

As a reminder, Bell owns its policies, which are only limited by language we negotiate into the collective agreement and/or applicable laws.

In the lead up to negotiations, members made it abundantly clear that teleworking is a high priority. Your bargaining team believes that this is a major component of your future working conditions, and the union must be able to negotiate fair language to protect members.

The company indicated last week that they are not yet willing to commit to teleworking language in the collective agreement. Together, Unifor members will change their mind.

The Unifor ACL Bargaining Committee is coordinating mobilization efforts with Bell Clerical workers in Ontario and Quebec. Together, we represent nearly 6,000 members. Your Mobilization committee will be reaching out early next week with our next activity.

Our next scheduled bargaining dates are April 26-28 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where we will have our first in person bargaining session with the company.

Some of our members have asked for more information regarding issues being discussed at the bargaining table.  We must remind everyone that we are unable to share specific details of bargained elements until we reach a Tentative Agreement.

Thank you for your support and solidarity. Your bargaining committee will continue to communicate updates throughout the negotiations.

In solidarity,

Bell Atlantic Bargaining Committee