Local 1000A members, activists and staff will come together on April 28, 2015 to mark the Day of Mourning and remember workers injured, killed or ill due to unsafe conditions at work.
On this day, we keep these workers close to our hearts and resolve to do what we can to prevent such incidents.
The Day of Mourning is an annual tradition that was started by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984. Today, the Day is observed in more than 100 countries around the world.
Every year, between 900 to 1,000 workers die at work in Canada. That corresponds to close to three workers dying each day. Over the course of the last 20 years, that has translated to roughly more than 19,000 workers who have lost their lives to work-related causes.
The number of injuries is even more disturbing. The Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada reported that nearly 700 workers were injured daily across the country in 2012.
The statistics are a sobering reminder of how far we need to go in prevention, education and accountability measures in our country.
On April 28, we encourage you to observe the day by:
- attend a Day of Mourning event in your community
- encourage others to attend an event
- draft a message for your organization's publication or web site
- work with local media to promote and cover the Day's significance and events
- convince employers and public institutions to among other things lower flags to half-mast
- work with other interested groups to host related events.
To find out about a Day of Mourning event in your community visit the Workers Health and Safety Centre's listing here.
