Category Archives: 2022 North America

The Americas: 28 de abril, la CSA apoya su incorporación como derecho fundamental del trabajo

La Confederación Sindical de trabajadoras y trabajadores de las Américas (CSA), en el marco del Día Mundial de la Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (SST), refuerza la importancia de la concientización sobre esta temática, recuerda a los/as trabajadores/as fallecidos/as y enfermas/os producto del trabajo y promueve la iniciativa de incorporar a la SST dentro de los Derechos y Principios Fundamentales de la OIT.

De acuerdo con el informe de la OIT “Fomentar el diálogo social para una cultura de seguridad y salud”, cerca de 2,9 millones de trabajadores y trabajadoras mueren anualmente debido a accidentes y enfermedades en el trabajo y alrededor de 402 millones sufren lesiones no mortales. La crisis sanitaria planteó la urgente necesidad de combatir los principales factores de riesgos que aumentan estas cifras cada año y visibilizó la importancia de contar con políticas nacionales de prevención para luchar contra este problema.

El principal factor de riesgo se encuentra en las largas jornadas laborales, algo que la pandemia ha vuelto a colocar en el centro del debate. Con la restricción a la movilidad y la consecuente implementación abrupta del teletrabajo, la extensión de la jornada se ha instalado de forma silenciosa y sin normas nacionales actualizadas para regular la situación. Esto ha aparejado la agudización de enfermedades profesionales físicas y psicológicas por el estrés y agotamiento, hecho éste facilitado por la utilización de diversas herramientas tecnológicas que terminan causando un monitoreo constante de los trabajadores y las trabajadoras.

Desde el movimiento sindical de la región, volvemos a reiterar la importancia del derecho a la desconexión. El hecho que la fronteras espaciales y temporales se desdibujen con el trabajo a distancia no debe significar una violación a los derechos laborales básicos. Por este motivo, el pago por parte del empleador de los gastos en equipamientos y servicios para trabajar a distancia, el respeto a la privacidad del hogar, el cuidado de la salud físico-emocional de los y las trabajadoras y el derecho a desconectarse, deben seguir estando presentes en la lucha sindical.

Los Convenios Internacionales de la OIT como el 155, 161 y 187 son instrumentos esenciales al momento de regular la SST y debemos continuar fomentando sus ratificaciones. Desde el movimiento sindical de la región, también contamos con dos instrumentos sociopolíticos como son la PLADA (Plataforma de Desarrollo de las Américas) y la ESSLA (Estrategia Sindical en Salud Laboral para las Américas), que debemos reforzar. La salud laboral es un derecho humano fundamental y debemos fomentar sistemas nacionales de protección social universales, públicos y solidarios que incorporen a la SST como pilar.

Para lograr este objetivo, la CSA apoya la iniciativa de la CSI (Confederación Sindical Internacional) de buscar que la SST sea incorporada en la Declaración relativa a los Principios y Derechos Fundamentales en el Trabajo de 1998 que actualmente contempla el derecho a la libertad sindical y negociación colectiva, la eliminación de todas las formas de trabajo forzoso, la abolición efectiva del trabajo infantil y la eliminación de la discriminación en materia de empleo y ocupación. Esto implicará que los Estados miembros deban respetar este derecho, al margen de que hayan ratificado o no los convenios específicos en la materia.

Por estos motivos, y en consonancia con la promoción del tripartismo y el diálogo social que están fomentando desde la OIT para avanzar en este tema, esperamos que, en la próxima Conferencia Internacional del Trabajo, las partes logren la aprobación de la SST como Principio y Derecho Fundamental del Trabajo para dar así un gran paso en esta lucha que afecta las vidas de millones personas.

Source: La Confederación Sindical de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de las Americas (CSA) 

North America: This past week, we took some time to remember those we lost to workplace accidents and illnesses

 

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This past week, we took some time to remember those we lost to workplace accidents and illnesses. Let’s never forget their names as we continue our work for healthy and safe jobs. Continue reading North America: This past week, we took some time to remember those we lost to workplace accidents and illnesses

USA: USW is organising to raise the level of safety protections for everyone

Continue reading USA: USW is organising to raise the level of safety protections for everyone

Canada: 28 avril – Ne les oublions pas – FTQ

Chaque année, le 28 avril est le Jour commémoratif des personnes décédées ou blessées au travail. C’est l’occasion de se rappeler que le travail fait encore trop de victimes et que nous devons continuer à faire de nos lieux de travail des endroits où il est possible de gagner sa vie sans la perdre.

Cette année, cela est encore plus vrai avec l’entrée en vigueur de nouvelles dispositions de la Loi sur la santé et la sécurité du travail qui vise à faire de la prévention dans tous les milieux de travail.

Événements et activités

Des cérémonies et minutes de silence seront tenues dans différents lieux à travers le Québec.

Montréal

L’événement se tiendra à la place Square-Victoria. Vous êtes attendus à partir de 9h30.

  • Minute de silence prévue à 10h
  • Cérémonie des croix de 10h à 10h30
  • Discours des dirigeants de 10 h 30 à 10h45.

Estrie

Lieu de rassemblement: devant le bureau de la CNESST situé au 1650, rue King Ouest, à Sherbrooke

  • Début de l’activité à 14 h 45 par un cortège automobile funèbre intersyndicale
  • Départ du Cortège à 15h30, arrêt devant le bureau de la députée
  • Ensuite, arrêt à la Coopérative Funéraire du 24 juin et dévoilement du monument en l’honneur des personnes décédées au travail
  • Prise de paroles.

Côte-Nord

Deux rassemblements devant les bureaux de la CNESST à 17 h 15:

  • À Sept-Îles au, 700, boul. Laure.
  • À Baie-Comeau au, 235, boul. La Salle.
  • À Port-Cartier : 17h15 – Local des Métallos au, 178 Portage des Mousses
  • Au Fermont : 20h30 – Au monument commémoratif (devant le local des Métallos)

Québec

Rassemblement à 12 h devant le bureau de la CNESST à Québec avec banderole indiquant le nombre de décès.

Bas Saint-Laurent

Rassemblement intersyndicale à 9 h 30 devant le bureau de la CNESST et prise de parole :

180 rue des gouverneurs, Rimouski

Laurentides-Lanaudière

Rassemblement devant le bureau de la CNESST ou le bureau du ministre Legault.

Outaouais

Mobilisation pour une minute de silence dans les milieux de travail avec diffusion sur les médias-sociaux.

Abitibi

Rassemblement de 12 h à 13 h devant les bureaux de la CNESST à Val-D’Or, au 1185 rue Germain. Personnes responsables : Gilles Chapadeau et Sonia Charette

Pour plus de détails, consulter la page Web des conseils régionaux.

https://santesecurite.ftq.qc.ca/28-avril-ne-les-oublions-pas/

USA: Day Labor Network message, report and graphics to mark 28 April

 

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New NDLON Report sheds light on day laborers as second responders in climate disasters!

This week, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network launched its new REPORT: “Recovering from Climate Disasters: Immigrant Day Laborers as Second Responders.”

The report launch is part of a week-long series of actions and events in commemoration of #WorkersMemorialDay #IWMD22.

After Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans in 2021, NDLON’s Disaster Response Brigade of worker-trainers conducted outreach and training across the impacted area, surveying day laborers on wages, health hazards, and awareness of their rights, while also sharing resources and documenting the realities for working people on the ground in the midst of the recovery.

The climate crisis is exacerbating a crisis of abuse and unsafe work conditions for workers nationwide – and we need to respond and organize accordingly.

Check out the report and share your support for #SecondResponders on social media!

Read full report, link in our bio.

#SecondResponders #NDLON #DisasterRelief #ClimateJustice #WorkerMigrantJustice

Canada: National Day of Mourning: Work shouldn’t hurt

National Day of Mourning: Work shouldn’t hurt

On National Day of Mourning April 28, PSAC recognizes the exemplary work of PSAC members who saved countless lives defending the health and safety of workers during the pandemic.

From mandating employers to develop COVID-19 protocols, administrative controls and ventilation and sanitation policies, unions and activists have played a key role in keeping workers safe. Their work has been possible because of the strong health and safety legislation, compliance and enforcement that unions have fought for to protect workers in Canada and around the world.

Unfortunately, not all workers have access to these same protections, and we have a responsibility to ensure all workers have a right to a safe workplace.

In Canada, many workers, especially gig economy workers, do not have basic health and safety protections like the right to know about hazards in the workplace. Other workers, including long-term care, gig and frontline workers, have insufficient sick days and limited health and safety protections. In the 2022 budget, the federal government has committed to providing 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers, but these benefits need to be extended to all workers.

That’s why PSAC and other unions are pushing governments to make occupational health and safety a fundamental right at work through the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO). Here, we organize together under the same vision: work shouldn’t hurt.

Both in Canada and around the world, millions of people continue to die because of their work. The most recent data from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) shows that in 2019, 925 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada. That’s on top of the 271,806 accepted claims for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease.

Canada must be a leader and act to ratify and implement core ILO health and safety conventions that guarantee occupational health rights and protections for all workers, as well as protections against violence and harassment.

PSAC also recommits to hold all employers to the highest standards of health and safety in the workplace, so all workers can go home safely at the end the day.

You can observe the National Day of Mourning by:

#iwmd22

Source

Alliance de la Fonction publique du Canada

Canada: Jour de deuil national : le travail ne doit pas faire mal

Jour de deuil national : le travail ne doit pas faire mal

À l’occasion du Jour de deuil national, le 28 avril, l’AFPC souligne le travail exemplaire des membres de l’AFPC qui ont sauvé d’innombrables vies en protégeant la santé et la sécurité des travailleuses et travailleurs durant la pandémie.

En obligeant les employeurs à mettre en place des protocoles liés à la COVID-19, des mesures administratives et des politiques de ventilation et d’assainissement, les syndicats et les militants ont joué un rôle clé dans la sécurité des personnes salariées. Ce travail a pu être réalisé grâce à la réglementation solide en matière de santé et de sécurité, à son respect et à son application, réglementation pour laquelle les syndicats se sont battus afin de protéger les travailleuses et travailleurs au Canada et dans le monde entier.

Malheureusement, les travailleurs et travailleuses ne bénéficient pas tous de telles mesures de protection : il nous incombe de veiller à ce que tout le monde ait droit à un lieu de travail sûr.

Au Canada, de nombreuses personnes, notamment celles qui cumulent les petits boulots, ne bénéficient pas des protections de base en matière de santé et de sécurité, comme le droit de connaître les dangers sur son lieu travail. D’autres, notamment le personnel du secteur des soins de longue durée, de l’hôtellerie et des services de première ligne, ont peu de jours de congé de maladie et de protections en matière de santé et de sécurité. Dans le budget 2022, le gouvernement fédéral s’est engagé à offrir 10 jours de congé de maladie payés aux travailleuses et travailleurs assujettis à la réglementation fédérale, mais cet avantage doit être offert à toutes les personnes qui travaillent.

C’est pourquoi l’AFPC et d’autres syndicats font pression sur les gouvernements pour que la santé et la sécurité au travail deviennent un droit fondamental, par l’entremise de l’Organisation internationale du Travail (OIT) des Nations Unies. Ainsi, nous travaillons ensemble selon une même vision : le travail ne doit pas faire mal.

Au Canada et dans le monde entier, des millions de personnes décèdent en raison de leur travail.Selon les plus récentes données de l’Association des commissions des accidents du travail du Canada (ACATC), en 2019, 925 décès en milieu de travail ont été enregistrés au Canada. Cela s’ajoute aux 271 806 demandes acceptées en raison d’une blessure ou d’une maladie liée au travail.

Notre pays doit montrer l’exemple et agir pour ratifier et mettre en œuvre les conventions fondamentales de l’OIT en matière de santé et de sécurité, qui garantissent des droits et des protections liés à la santé au travail pour toutes et tous ainsi que des protections contre la violence et le harcèlement.

L’AFPC s’engage également à exiger que tous les employeurs respectent les normes les plus élevées en matière de santé et de sécurité dans tous les lieux de travail afin qu’après chaque journée de travail, tous les travailleuses et travailleurs puissent rentrer chez eux indemnes.

Pour participer au Jour de deuil national, vous pouvez :

Source:
Alliance de la Fonction publique du Canada

Canada: Day of Mourning – 3rd Anniversary of Start of Pandemic and 30th Anniversary of Westray Mine Disaster

 

This year April 28th marks the third Day of Mourning since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Each year, on the Day of Mourning, people come together to “Mourn the Dead and Fight for the Living.” The pandemic has shown us the importance of legislative measures to keep us all safe. Let’s also take a moment to think about the human cost of Covid-19 and the impact it continues to have on workers.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have witnessed how vulnerable workers are,” says Daniel Legere, President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour. “An issue that must be added to governments’ radar is acknowledging, defining, and having a plan to deal with long-covid. It affects at least 10%, and up to 50%, of people diagnosed with Covid-19.”

Without access to protected, paid sick days, workers have been forced to choose between going to work sick, or not getting paid, and in some cases losing their jobs. All workers should have access to 10 paid sick days per year as well as 10 emergency-leave days per year.

The failure to keep workers safe is a problem that existed before the pandemic, nonetheless. This has led to too many preventable deaths. Every year, approximately 1,000 Canadian workers die because of a workplace injury or an exposure that happened at work. In 2021, 13 New Brunswickers lost their lives because of a workplace accident or illness.

This year, May 9th marks the 30th anniversary of the Westray mine disaster, where 26 miners were killed in an underground explosion in Pictou County Nova Scotia. After a long advocacy campaign, changes were made to the Criminal Code of Canada to make sure that similar tragedies never happened again. Criminal charges are hardly ever pursued, though, following a workplace fatality. The federal government and the RCMP have educated federal health and safety officers and the police on the Westray section of the Criminal Code, but much more work is needed here.

“Despite the fact that too many workers are killed at work every year, police and prosecutors are not using the Westray amendments and are not investigating workplace fatalities through the lens of criminal accountability,” says George Nickerson, NBFL Vice-President responsible for workplace health and safety. “This needs to change. Goverments at all levels must make sure that existing health and safety laws and regulations are being enforced.”
– 30 –

For information, please contact:

Daniel Legere
NBFL President
(506) 381-8969 (cell)

George Nickerson
NBFL Vice President responsible for Workplace Health & Safety
(902) 580-0375

New Brunswick Federation Of Labour

Source: New Brunswick Federation of Labour

Global/USA: April – The Month of Workplace Disasters

Reproduced in full with the kind permission of the author: Jordan Barab – the article appeared first on 20 April 2022  in his excellent newsletter Confined Space

April 28 is Workers Memorial Day — a day dedicated to memorializing those killed on the job and rededicating ourselves to fighting for the living. April 28 was picked because it’s the anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  And coincidentally, April is an especially tragic time to remember some of the most serious workplace tragedies in American — and world —  history.

Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster, Raleigh County, WV,  April 5, 2010: An explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine killed 29 miners. The Mine Safety and Health Administration concluded that flagrant safety violations contributed to the explosion. It issued 369 citations at that time, assessing $10.8 million in penalties

Ammonium Nitrate Explosion, Texas City, TX, April 16, 1947: A fire on the French-registered vessel SS Grandcamp detonated her cargo of about 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate. This started a chain reaction of fires and explosions in other ships and nearby oil-storage facilities, ultimately killing at least 581 people, including all but one member of the Texas City fire department.   It was the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history and one of history’s largest non-nuclear explosions.

West Fertilizer Explosion, West, TX, April 17, 2013:  An ammonium nitrate explosion occurred at the West Fertilizer Company storage and distribution facility in West, Texas. Fifteen people were killed, including 12 firefighters, more than 160 were injured, and more than 150 buildings were damaged or destroyed.

Deepwater Horizon Explosion, April 20, 2012: A fire and explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig killed 11 workers and resulted in the largest marine oil spill and environmental disaster in history.

L’Ambiance Plaza Collapse, Bridgeport, CT,  April 23, 1987: The L’Ambiance Plaza apartment building collapsed due to a faulty lift slab construction technique while under construction, killing 28 construction workers.

Rana Plaza Factor Collapse, Bangladesh, April 24, 2013: The eight-story Rana Plaza factory building collapsed, killing 1134 people.  The shops and the bank on the lower floors were immediately closed after cracks were discovered in the building the day before the collapse. But the building’s owners ignored warnings ordering garment workers to return the following day and the building collapsed during the morning rush-hour.

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Disaster, Ukraine, USSR April 26, 1986:  No. 4 reactor in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded during a safety test  It was the worst nuclear disaster in history. Dozens of operators and response workers died due to massive radiation exposure and hundreds more from the nuclear fallout.

Willow Island Collapse, Willow Island, WV, April 27, 1978: A cooling tower under construction at the Pleasants Power Station at Willow Island, West Virginia, collapsed, killing 51 construction workers. It was the deadliest construction accident in U.S. history

April: The Month of Workplace Disasters

 

Canada: National Day of Mourning – April 28

Refugee Rights Day – April 4
8.5″ x 11″ Poster

April 28 marks the National Day of Mourning for workers injured or killed on the job. This year’s Day of Mourning is especially significant given the devastating toll COVID-19 continues to inflict on workers across the country.

Frontline workers are still disproportionately affected by the pandemic, with countless falling sick and many succumbing to illness. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that workers make it home at the end of each day, and that includes employers, unions, and governments.

UFCW Canada encourages every worker to make workplace health and safety a personal priority and help spread the word that every worker has the right to refuse unsafe work.

On April 28, let us remember those who have been injured or killed on the job, and keep them in our thoughts. Let us honour the memory of those killed or injured on the job, and never forget the importance of our commitment to keep workers safe.

For a full list of local events happening in solemn observance, click here.

Source: UFCW  Canada