Category Archives: 2023

2023 Canada, 2023 North America, Events listing, News

Canada: Day of Mourning Ceremonies 2023

April 28th is the labour movement’s most solemn day, but also one to refocus our commitment to prevent future workplace injuries and deaths. Every year, thousands of workers, friends and families of fallen workers gather at ceremonies across Canada to recognize the National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job.

This year, we will gather in communities across the country. As we mourn for the dead, the Canadian Labour Congress continues to fight for the living.

Find an event near you:

Atlantic Region

Newfoundland and Labrador

St. John’s & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
NL Confederation Bldg, 100 Prince Philip Drive, St.John’s
April 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Patrick Dunne 709-763-4091
SJDLC709NL@gmail.com

Corner Brook & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
Holy Redeemer Cathedral, 15 Mt. Bernard Ave, Corner Brook
April 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Jim O’Neill 709-634-3695
jloneill@nf.sympatico.ca

Labrador West & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
5795 USW Union Hall, 105 Hudson Dr, Labrador City
April 28, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Claude Gray, 709-944-1014
c_mgray@hotmail.com

Grand Falls Windsor Day of Mourning Committee
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
Grand Falls Windsor Forestry Workers Memorial, Lincoln Road
April 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m.
Contact: David Hillier, 709-290-4907
davidhillier@gmail.com

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island Federation of Labour
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
St. Paul’s Hall, 101 Prince Street, Charlottetown
April 28, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Carl Pursey, PEI Federation of Labour President
peifed@pei.aibn.com

New Brunswick

Saint John and District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
Frank and Ella Hatheway Labour Exhibit Centre
55 Lake Dr S, Saint John, NB E2K 5S3
April 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Pat Riley, longsure273@gmail.com

Moncton & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Cenotaph in Bore Park (Riverfront)
April 28, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
Contact: Melissa Brown 506-872-4643 melandiade@hotmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/MonctonLabour/

Ontario Region

Guelph District Labour Council
Goldie Mill Park, 75 Cardigan St, Guelph, N1H 3Z7
April 28, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Jennifer Hesch jennilynncda@gmail.com
Website (if available): https://www.facebook.com/Guelph-District-Labour-Council-1593522250974861

Huron District LC Day of Mourning
(Across from) 181 Victoria Street North, Goderich ON
April 23, 2023, 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Jim Vance 226-222-0157 or Drew Macaulay drmacaulay@hotmail.com

Stratford & District Labour Council
Upper Queens Park, 55 Queen Street, Stratford ON, N5A 4M9
April 28, 2023, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Sarnia & District Labour Council
Centennial Park on Sarnia Bay, Front Street
April 28, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
Contact: sdlc57@outlook.com

Windsor & District Labour Council
St. Augustine’s Church Hall (formerly St. Aidans’s, Wyandotte at Westminster)
April 28, 2023, 5:00 p.m.
Contact: Mike Jee 226-345-6807 mike3jee@gmail.com

Chatham-Kent Labour Council
Day of Mourning Monument
Grand Avenue, across from Canadian Tire, Chatham
April 28, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Linda Reaume 519-676-7803

St. Catherines, Niagara Regional Labour Council
At the monument dedicated to the Fallen Welland Canal Workers, located at Lock 3 on the Welland Canal Parkway – West side of the Canal
April 28, 2023, 7:30 a.m.
Contact: nrlc.clc@gmail.com

St. Catherines, Niagara Regional Labour Council
Under the St. Catherines Skyway. Located on the Welland Canal Parkway – West side of the Canal, under the bridge.
April 28, 2023, 8:00 a.m.
nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Niagara-on-the-Lake – Niagara Regional Labour Council
At the monument located at the Centennial Arena
1557 Four Mile Creek Road, Virgil
April 28, 2023, 9:15 a.m.
nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Niagara Falls – Niagara Regional Labour Council
At the monument located at Niagara Falls City Hall
4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls
April 28, 2023, 10:30 a.m.
nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Fort Erie – Niagara Regional Labour Council
At the monument located at Forth Erie City Hall
1 Municipal Centre Drive, along Highway 3
April 28, 2023, 11:45 a.m.
nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Port Colborne – Niagara Regional Labour Council
At the monument located at H.H. Knoll Park on Sugarloaf St., beside the hospital
April 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m.
nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Welland – Niagara Regional Labour Council
At the monument located beside the Canal in Merritt Park – 151 King St.
April 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Port Robinson – Niagara Regional Labour Council
In memory of Robyn Lafleur, Esquire Canada
Explosion site (1999) 125 South St. North
April 28, 2023, 3:00 p.m.
nrlc.clc@gmail.com

St. Catharines – Niagara Regional Labour Council
At the Monument located at St. Catharines City Hall- 50 Church St.
April 28, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Niagara Region – Niagara Regional Labour Council
At the Monument located at the Region of Niagara Headquarters
1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Niagara Region
April 28, 2023, 5:15 p.m.
nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Durham Region Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Oshawa City Hall, 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa
April 28, 2023, 10:30 a.m.
Contact: durhamregionlabourcouncil@gmail.com
Website: https://www.durhamlabour.ca

Brantford & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Fordview Park
5 Fordview Ct, Brantford, ON N3T 5W3
April 28, 2023, 5:00 p.m.
Contact: Cory Judson 226-388-0547 coryjudson@live.ca
Website: http://www.brantforddistrictlabourcouncil.ca/

Peterborough & District Labour Council
Proclamation and flag raising at Peterborough City Hall, 500 George Street
April 28, 2023, 10:45 a.m.
Contact: Stephanie Levesque 705-313-1103

Sudbury & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning – Laurentian University, Fraser Auditorium
935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury Ontario
April 28, 2023, Doors at 9:00 a.m., event at 9:30 a.m.
Contact: Jessica Montgomery – jmontgomery@ohcow.on.ca
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/692439605904483/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22home%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22surface%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22groups_highlight_units%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

North Simcoe Muskoka & District Labour Council
Workers’ Day of Mourning
Tudhope Park 450 Atherley Rd, Orillia, ON
April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Mike De Rose – (416) 937-7982
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/731216048602213/?ref=newsfeed

North Bay & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
In front of City Hall, 200 McIntyre St E, North Bay, ON
April 28, 2023, 4:30 p.m.
Contact: Henri Giroux – hgiroux1@hotmail.com

Thunder Bay & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Patterson Park, corner of Miles St. & May St. Thunder Bay
April 28, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
Contact : Carlos Santander-Maturana – santalfo@tbaytel.net

Sault Ste Marie & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning – 68 Dennis St., Sault Ste. Marie
April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. (doors at 10:30 a.m.)
Contact: Michele McCleave-Kennedy – presidentssmdlc@gmail.com

Waterloo Regional Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Worker’s Monument
Willow River Park (Victoria Park), 32 Dill St., Kitchener
April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Jeff Pelich, President president@wrlc.ca
Website: www.wrlc.ca

Hamilton & District Labour Council
Hamilton City Hall
April 28, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Anthony Marco, President amarco@rogers.com
Website: www.hamiltonlabour.ca/day_of_mourning_2023

Oakville & District Labour Council
Centennial Plaza, 120 Navy Street, Oakville ON
April 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Dave Buddell 1st V.P
Email: dbuddell@etfohalton.on.ca

Grey Bruce Labour Council
They hold three ceremonies but details are available for one
Bruce Power, Tiverton Facility (*This event is not open to the public)
April 27, 2023
Contact: Dave Trumble
*Details to follow

Orangeville & District Labour Council
Orangeville Monument
Address: 214 Broadway Orangeville ON L9W 1K3
April 28, 2023, 12:15 p.m.
Contact: Sania Wadalia, President swadalia@hotmail.com

Toronto & York Region Labour Council
Two commemorative in-person events

York Region, Woodbridge Memorial Arena, 5020 Hwy 7, Woodbridge
April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.
Website: www.labourcouncil.ca/events

Toronto, Larry Sefton Park, 500 Bay Street, Toronto
April 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m.
Website: www.labourcouncil.ca/events

Lindsay and District Labour Council
National Day of Mourning ceremony
Victoria Park, Lindsay
April 30, 2023, 1:00 p.m.
Contact: James Mulhern 705 324 7841, oneworldonevoice@sympatico.ca or ldlcouncil@gmail.com

Timmins & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Timmins Miner’s Memorial, Lions Park
85 Mcintyre Rd., Schumacher On
April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.

Ottawa & District Labour Council
Vincent Massey Park, Ottawa, ON
Friday, April 28, 2023, 12:30 p.m.
Contact: Jennifer jennifer@ottawalabour.org

Lanark & District Labour Council

Perth Crystal Palace, next to Tay Basin
28 Drummond St E, Perth, ON
April 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

Rideau Canal Museum, Smiths Falls
34 Beckwith St. S, Smiths Falls
April 28, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
Contact: Ike ike.doornekamp@ucdsb.on.ca

Cornwall & District Labour Council
Lamoureux Park
100 Water St E, Cornwall, ON
April 28, 2023; 11:45 a.m.
Louise Lanctot 613-932-1943

Leeds & Grenville Labour Council
Brockville Museum
5 Henry St. Brockville
April 29, 2023; 11:00 a.m.
James Roy leedsandgrenvillelabourcouncil@gmail.com

Renfrew & District Labour Council
Renfrew at Memorial by Swinging Bridge and Pembroke at Waterfront by Algonquin Campus
April 28, 2023, Renfrew at 12:00 p.m. and Pembroke at 5:00 p.m.
Micheal Wright 613-570-1804

Kingston & District Labour Council
OPSEU Regional Office
824 John Counter Blvd, Kingston
Friday, April 28, 11:00 a.m.
Janet Heyman janetheyman@live.ca

Grey Bruce Labour Council
Heritage Square
358 Tenth St, Hanover, N4N 1P4
April 28, 2023, 10:45 a.m. -11:15 a.m.
Labour and Community Speakers
Contact Hazel Pratt peacegirlhp2@gmail.com, 519-363-2991 or mobile 519-379-7905

Barrie and District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
City Hall 70 Collier Street, Barrie L4M 4T5
April 28, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. flag raising
6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. candlelight vigil
Contact – Michele MacDonald (barrielabourcouncil@gmail.com) OR Donna Beischlag (donnabeischlag@hotmail.com)
Website – barrielabour.ca

Prairie Region

Alberta

Red Deer and District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Bower Ponds Stage 4715 Fountain Dr, Red Deer, AB T4N 6W4
April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Contact: RDDLC – rddlc1@gmail.com

Wood Buffalo and District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Howard Pew Parks – Waterways, Fort McMurray
April 28, 2023, 10:45 a.m.
Contact: WBDLC – omer.hussein@hsaa.ca

Calgary & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Ceremony
City of Calgary Workers Memorial, Edward Place Park, City Hall (SE corner)
April 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Contact: Alex Shevalier, President 403-819-4159
Website: https://www.thecdlc.caThe Calgary & District Labour Council – Calgary & District Labour Council (thecdlc.ca)

Edmonton & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Ceremony
Grant Notley Park 116 Street & 100 Avenue
April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Greg Mady, President 780-940-6797
Website: https://edmontonlabour.ca

Manitoba

Brandon & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Gathering
Brandon City Hall, foyer area
April 28, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Manitoba Federation of Labour
Day of Mourning Gathering
Union Centre, 275 Broadway, Winnipeg
April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m., SWOT Leaders’ walk starts 11:30 a.m., ceremony at Workers Memorial at noon
MFL.ca or https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaLabour

Thompson Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
USW Union Hall
April 28, 2023, 10:00 a.m.

Saskatchewan

Saskatoon & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Civic Square 222 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon
April 28, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Don McDonald, President, sdlc@sasktel.net

Regina & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Regina City Hall, 2476 Victoria Avenue
April 28, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Shobna Radons, President, shobna.radons@sasktel.net

Weyburn & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
TC Douglas Cavalry Centre, 400 – 10th Avenue, Weyburn
April 28, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Wanda Bartlett, President, wbartlett@sasktel.net

Pacific Region

North Okanagan Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Ben Lee Park – 900 Houghton Road Kelowna, BC
April 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Ian Gordon, President, nolcpres@gmail.com
https://www.oklabour.org
https://www.facebook.com/groups/406757552682107

New Westminster District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Westminster Pier Park – 1 – 6th Street New Westminster, BC
April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m
Contact: Janet Andrews nwdlc@shawcable.com
Website: https://www.nwdlc.ca

North Central Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Connaught Hill Park – 1112 Connaught Dr, Prince George, BC
April 28, 2023, 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Matt Baker, President NCLCboard@gmail.com
Website: https://www.northcentrallabour.ca/

Kamloops and District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
St. Andrews on the Square, Kamloops
April 28, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Lois Rugg, President, kdlcpresident@gmail.com

Squamish & District Labour Committee
Day of Mourning Event
O’Siem Park, Downtown Squamish, Squamish, BC
Sunday, April 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Carl Walker (604) 892-4661

Vancouver & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
April 28, 2023, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Livestream – https://dayofmourning.bc.ca
Contact: Stephen von Sychowski, President president@vdlc.ca

East Kootenay District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Rotary Park, Cranbrook, BC
April 28, 2023, at 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Contact: Francesca Burgon, President franburgon.bcgeu@gmail.com
or Shelley Balfour, Recording Secretary ekdistrictlabourcouncil@gmail.com

West Kootenay Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Lakeside Park (near Worker Memorial), Nelson, BC
April 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Mike van Hellemond, Treasurer mike@ibew993.org

Sunshine Coast Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event – April 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in two locations:
1) Workers’ Memorial Plaque, Spirit Square, 5790 Teredo St. Sechelt, BC
2) Worker’s Memorial Plaque, Dougall Park, 339 Aldersprings Rd. Gibsons, BC
Contact: Miyuki Shinkai, President mellonglass@dccnet.com

Fraser Valley Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Abbotsford, BC
April 28, 2023
Time and Location TBA
Contact: Graeme Hutchison, President ghutchison@moveuptogether.ca

https://canadianlabour.ca/events/day-of-mourning-ceremonies-2023/

2023, 2023 North America, 2023 USA, Events listing, News

USA: Silver Taube – Remembering lives lost in the workplace on Workers’ Memorial Day

On April 28, 1970, the OSH Act went into effect. Since that time, workplace safety and health conditions have improved. But despite the progress, too many workers are still at serious risk of injury, illness or death at work.

Workers’ Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for workers killed, disabled or injured on the job, is observed annually on April 28. This year, health and safety nonprofit Worksafe is hosting an event at 6 p.m. at the Laborers’ International Union Hall at 2195 Fortune Drive in San Jose with community groups and unions. The event will feature Cal/OSHA, federal OSHA, workers from various industries, union leaders, Filipino food, interactive displays and music.

The United States had a total of 5,190 fatal work injuries in 2021, meaning a worker died every 101 minutes from an occupational injury over the course of the year. The number of fatal work injuries increased 8.9% from 4,764 in 2020. The fatal injury rate was 3.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers in 2021—the highest rate since 2016—up from 3.4 per 100,000 workers in 2020. The pre-pandemic rate in 2019 was 3.5 deaths per 100,000 workers. In 2020, the private construction industry accounted for 1,008 deaths, or 21.2% of total deaths. This was followed by transportation and warehousing with 805 deaths, or 16.9% of total deaths.

The health care and retail industry experienced a large number of injuries and illnesses. In 2020, there were 78,740 cases of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses that resulted in at least one day away from work among registered nurses in private industry. This was a nearly 291% increase, about four times as many cases compared with 2019 when there were 20,150 such cases. There were also 806,200 injury and illness cases in private health care and social assistance, a 40% increase from 2019. This was driven by a 958% increase in illness cases. Private retail trade experienced a 217% increase in illness cases.

For the fourth straight year in a row since 2016, Hispanic and Latino workplace deaths increased. Hispanic and Latino workers accounted for 22.5% of workplace deaths in 2020, up from 20.4% in 2019.

Workplace violence statistics are staggering. There were 392 workplace homicides in 2020. There were also 37,060 nonfatal injuries in the workplace resulting from an intentional injury by another person. The five occupational groups with the most workplace homicides in 2020 were sales, transportation and material moving, management, construction and extraction, and production.

Fast-food workers experience high levels of workplace violence. In a report by UC Berkeley, an analysis of 911 calls made from fast-food locations in major cities throughout California shows that many fast-food restaurants experience high rates of violent activity, including assault, sexual assault and theft. Across 643 locations in nine cities, the researchers identified 77,200 violent or threatening incidents over a four-year period.

One McDonald’s worker interviewed for the UC Berkeley report was jumped and beaten to the point of concussion by a man he had inadvertently bumped with a dustpan. Another was choked behind the register by a customer. A young KFC worker was shot with a BB gun outside the drive-thru and management offered little support. Other workers described being held up at gun point, battered through the drive-thru window, stalked by angry customers and verbally threatened. On Monday, there was a protest at a Jack in the Box on Story Road in San Jose because two workers were taken to the hospital after a customer brutally punched and kicked them.

The franchise model plays a significant role in the failure to prevent workplace violence at fast-food restaurants. Franchisees who may want to do the right thing are hampered by onerous economic and operational constraints imposed by the parent companies. Large global brands like McDonald’s, Jack in the Box and Burger King have no incentive to combat violence at franchises because they can evade legal responsibility under current laws. A bill recently introduced in the Assembly, AB 1228, would impose joint liability on the parent companies and require them to support franchisees to solve problems such as workplace violence and other workplace violations.

California’s workplace violence prevention regulations are currently applicable only to the health care industry. On Feb. 15, state Sen. Dave Cortese introduced SB 553, which would require Cal/OSHA to adopt regulations requiring any employer not subject to the health care regulations to adopt a workplace violence prevention plan as part of the employer’s injury and illness prevention plan.

Cal/OSHA is working on proposed general industry workplace violence prevention standards. In May 2022, Cal/OSHA issued a revised draft of a proposed workplace violence prevention regulation applicable to all industries that would require employers to implement measures to prevent and respond to workplace violence. The proposed regulation has not yet been adopted.

In the face of serious health and safety workplace issues, the Trump administration rolled back longstanding workplace safety protections—targeting job safety rules, safety examinations and injury reporting, and cutting agency budgets and staff.

In the fall of 2019, the federal OSHA began reducing the number of inspections, a policy still in place today. In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA was largely absent from workplaces. While the number of inspectors and inspections improved in fiscal year 2021, there is much more progress to be made.

OSHA must engage in more rigorous enforcement of health and safety laws, and California must enact a workplace violence standard. We should also pay tribute to the workers who were killed, disabled or injured on the job. We hope to see you on Workers’ Memorial Day on April 28 at 6 p.m. at the Laborers’ Hall at 1295 Fortune Drive. The event is free, but please register online.

San José Spotlight columnist Ruth Silver Taube is supervising attorney of the Workers’ Rights Clinic at the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center, supervising attorney of the Santa Clara County’s Office of Labor Standards Enforcement Legal Advice Line and a member of Santa Clara County’s Fair Workplace Collaborative. Her columns appear every second Thursday of the month. Contact her at rsilvertaube@scu.edu.

 

2023, 2023 global, Events listing, News

Global: Jornada Internacional de Conmemoración de los Trabajadores Fallecidos y Heridos 2023 – Organizarse en pro de unos lugares de trabajo seguros y saludables

Con ocasión de la Jornada Internacional de Conmemoración (JIC) de los Trabajadores Fallecidos y Heridos, el 28 de abril, los sindicatos están promoviendo el papel que desempeña la organización sindical para conseguir unos lugares de trabajo más seguros y saludables, al tiempo que recordamos a todos los trabajadores y las trabajadoras que han perdido la vida debido a enfermedades o accidentes laborales.

Los sindicatos tienen previsto recurrir al nuevo derecho fundamental de la OIT a un entorno laboral seguro y saludable para hacer frente a las alarmantes cifras de 3 millones de trabajadores que mueren cada año a causa de su trabajo, y de decenas de millones que sufren lesiones y enfermedades que les cambian la vida.

Los sindicatos se organizarán para garantizar que el nuevo derecho fundamental se ponga en práctica y marque una diferencia positiva en la vida cotidiana de los trabajadores y las trabajadoras. Los dos Convenios (155 y 187) de la OIT respaldan la organización sindical mediante el establecimiento de comités de seguridad en el lugar de trabajo, con representación de los trabajadores, y de representantes en materia de seguridad de los trabajadores en el lugar de trabajo.

Esta organización contribuirá a mejorar el entorno laboral mediante el derecho a rechazar trabajos peligrosos y los derechos de consulta sobre las evaluaciones de riesgos, los servicios de salud en el trabajo y el suministro de equipos de protección individual. El Convenio 187 exige asimismo la creación de organismos tripartitos nacionales sobre salud y seguridad con representación del Gobierno, de los trabajadores y de los empleadores.

Luchar contra los lugares de trabajo tóxicos

En todo el mundo, los sindicatos aprovecharán el 28 de abril para luchar contra riesgos como el amianto y productos químicos tóxicos, y contra peligros como las largas jornadas de trabajo y el estrés en el lugar de trabajo, así como para exigir un aumento del número de países que ratifican y aplican todos los Convenios de la OIT sobre salud y seguridad.

El secretario general adjunto de la CSI, Owen Tudor, ha declarado: “Toda persona trabajadora tiene derecho a esperar volver a casa después de su jornada laboral. Nadie debería morir solo por ganarse la vida”.

Los sindicatos logran que el trabajo sea más seguro, y ya han salvado muchas vidas en los siguientes ámbitos:

Silicosis

Las empresas siguen exponiendo a millones de trabajadores a unos niveles excesivos de polvo de sílice, una sustancia que puede provocar cánceres y enfermedades pulmonares mortales. Los sindicatos australianos han conseguido que se impongan nuevas restricciones a los productos que contienen sílice, y que se reduzca a la mitad el límite de exposición de los trabajadores al sílice, lo que podría reducir los casos de silicosis mortal a una sexta parte del nivel actual.

Gente de mar

En 2022 un tribunal holandés otorgó una importante victoria a los sindicatos ITF, FNV Havens y Nautilus NL, que habían presentado una demanda contra Marlow Cyprus, Marlow Netherlands y Expert Shipping. El tribunal dictaminó que los gestores de buques, los propietarios de buques y los fletadores deben cumplir la cláusula de trabajo para no marinos, en virtud de la cual los trabajadores portuarios profesionales, y no los marinos, deben realizar el exigente trabajo de trinca cuando estén disponibles. La decisión implica mayor seguridad para los marinos y garantiza puestos de trabajo para los estibadores.

Residencias de la tercera edad

En 2020-2021, 75.000 personas que vivían en residencias de la tercera edad en Estados Unidos fallecieron por el virus de SARS-CoV-2, y más de 1 millón de trabajadores de dichas residencias han dado positivo en las pruebas de coronavirus. Las residencias de la tercera edad que están organizadas registraron tasas de mortalidad por Covid-19 un 10,8% más bajas entre los residentes, y tasas de infección un 6,8% más bajas entre los trabajadores.

2023, 2023 global, Events listing, News

Global: Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs morts ou blessés au travail 2023 – organisation en faveur de lieux de travail sains et sûrs

À l’occasion de la Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs morts ou blessés au travail, le 28 avril, les syndicats promeuvent le rôle essentiel que joue l’organisation syndicale pour garantir des lieux de travail plus sûrs et plus sains, à l’heure où nous nous souvenons de tous les travailleurs et travailleuses qui ont perdu la vie des suites d’accidents du travail ou de maladies professionnelles.

Les syndicats comptent recourir au nouveau droit fondamental de l’OIT à un milieu de travail sûr et salubre pour réduire le nombre effroyable de victimes – trois millions de travailleurs qui meurent chaque année à cause de leur travail et des dizaines de millions de travailleurs qui subissent des lésions ou rencontrent des problèmes de santé qui changent le cours de leur vie.

Les syndicats recourront à l’organisation pour veiller à ce que le nouveau droit fondamental soit mis en oeuvre et ait un effet positif sur la vie quotidienne des travailleurs et des travailleuses. Les deux Conventions de l’OIT (155 et 187) appuient l’organisation syndicale moyennant l’établissement de comités de sécurité sur le lieu de travail, composés de représentants des travailleurs, et de représentants en matière de sécurité des travailleurs au travail.

Cette organisation contribuera à améliorer le milieu de travail moyennant le droit de refuser un travail dangereux et le droit de consultation en ce qui concerne l’évaluation des risques, les services de santé au travail et la fourniture d’équipements de protection individuelle. La Convention 187 exige, en outre, l’établissement d’instances nationales tripartites chargées de la santé et de la sécurité, regroupant des représentants du gouvernement, des travailleurs et des employeurs.

Lutter contre des lieux de travail toxiques

Aux quatre coins du globe, les syndicats profiteront du 28 avril pour lutter contre les risques, notamment l’amiante et les produits chimiques toxiques, et les dangers, tels que les longues heures de travail et le stress sur le lieu de travail, tout en réclamant une augmentation du nombre de pays qui ratifient et mettent en oeuvre toutes les Conventions de l’OIT en matière de santé et de sécurité.

Le secrétaire général adjoint de la CSI, Owen Tudor, a déclaré : « Tous les travailleurs et travailleuses sont en droit d’espérer rentrer chez eux à la fin de leur journée de travail. Personne ne devrait mourir en cherchant à gagner sa vie. »

Les syndicats rendent le travail plus sûr et ont déjà sauvé de nombreuses vies dans les domaines suivants :

Silicose

Les entreprises continuent d’exposer des millions de travailleurs à des niveaux excessifs de poussière de silice, une substance qui peut causer des cancers et des maladies pulmonaires mortelles. Les syndicats australiens ont obtenu l’imposition de nouvelles restrictions aux produits contenant de la silice, ainsi que la réduction de moitié de la limite d’exposition professionnelle à la silice, ce qui pourrait ramener les cas de silicose mortelle à un sixième du taux actuel.

Gens de mer

En 2022, un tribunal néerlandais a offert une victoire importante aux syndicats ITF, FNV Havens et Nautilus NL, qui avaient intenté une action en justice contre les sociétés Marlow Cyprus, Marlow Netherlands et Expert Shipping, en concluant que les exploitants de navires, les armateurs et les affréteurs doivent respecter la clause selon laquelle les dockers professionnels, et non les marins, doivent effectuer le travail exigeant d’arrimage lorsqu’ils sont disponibles. La décision implique une plus grande sécurité pour les marins et garantit des emplois aux dockers.

Maisons de retraite

En 2020-2021, aux États-Unis, 75 000 résidents de maisons de retraite ont perdu la vie à cause du virus SARS-CoV-2 et plus d’un million de travailleurs des maisons de retraite ont été testés positifs au coronavirus. Les maisons de retraite syndiquées ont déclaré des taux de mortalité due à la Covid-19 inférieurs de 10,8 % parmi les résidents et des taux d’infections inférieurs de 6,8 % parmi les travailleurs.

https://www.ituc-csi.org/iwmd23_fr

2023, 2023 global, Events listing, News

Global: International Workers’ Memorial Day 2023 – Organise for safe and healthy workplaces #iwmd23

On International Workers’ Memorial Day, 28 April, trade unions are promoting the role that organising plays in making workplaces safer and healthier as we remember all working people who have lost their lives to workplace accidents and disease.

Workers’ unions are planning to use the new ILO fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment to tackle the shocking death toll of three million workers who die each year because of their work, with tens of millions more suffering life-changing injuries and ill health.

Trade unions will use organising to ensure that the new fundamental right is put into practice and makes a positive difference to the daily lives of working people. The two ILO Conventions (155 and 187) provide backing for union organising, through the creation of workplace safety committees with worker representation, and worker safety representatives in workplaces.

This organising can improve the working environment through the right to refuse dangerous work and consultation rights over risk assessments, occupational health services and the provision of personal protective equipment. Convention 187 also requires the creation of national tripartite health and safety bodies with representation for government, workers and employers.

Combatting toxic workplaces

Around the world, unions will use 28 April to fight risks like asbestos and toxic chemicals, and hazards like long hours and stress in the workplace, as well as demanding an increase in the number of countries ratifying and implementing all ILO health and safety Conventions.

ITUC Deputy General Secretary Owen Tudor said: “Every working person has the right to expect to return home at the end their day’s work. No one should die just to make a living.”

Trade unions make work safer, and they have already saved lives in these areas:

Silicosis

Companies are continuing to expose millions of workers to excessive levels of silica dust, which can cause deadly cancers and lung diseases. Australian unions won new restrictions on products containing silica and cut in half the exposure limit to silica for workers, which could see cases of deadly silicosis drop to one-sixth of the current level.

Seafarers

In 2022, a Dutch court handed an important victory to the ITF, FNV Havens and Nautilus NL who had brought a legal case against Marlow Cyprus, Marlow Netherlands and Expert Shipping. The court ruled that ship managers, ship owners and charterers must honour the non-seafarer’s work clause that only professional dockers do demanding, skilful lashing work when they are available, rather than seafarers. The decision means greater safety for seafarers and secures jobs for dockers.

Nursing homes

In 2020/21, 75,000 nursing home residents in the USA died from the SARS-CoV-2 virus with more than one million nursing home workers testing positive. Unionised nursing homes reported Covid-19 mortality rates of residents 10.8% lower and an infection rate of workers 6.8% lower.

2023, 2023 Asia-Pacific, 2023 Philippines, Events listing, News

Philippines: For 28 April NUCBW to provide training on safety, gender, violence and harassment at work

NUBCW will hold an orientation to highlight the safety as fundamental right and raise awareness about health hazards, risks and proper ways to address and/or avoid the accidents in the workplace.

NUBCW will also hold training focusing on Anti-Sexual Harassment including gender and OSH related violence in the workplace with the creation of the Committee on De-Corum and Investigation as  a highlight .

More 28 April  training from NUBCW will focus on  safety as a fundamental right, C190 and gender sensitivity to all women leaders of NUBCW.

 

2023, 2023 Asia-Pacific, 2023 Cambodia, Events listing, News

Cambodia: Multiple activities on 28 April from BWI affiliate BWTUC

In Cambodia the BWI affiliate BWTUC  has planned different activities including a campaign to:

“Let the public, workers, ministries, institutions, civil society organisations know:
1. Challenges of construction workers, living conditions, working conditions, wages
2. Health and safety of construction workers
3. Challenges in the use and implementation of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
4. Challenges and effects of asbestos (ASBESTOS)”

BWTUC is also providing training will be carried out to improve legal capacity to workers especially union leaders on trade union and labour laws and regulations on OSH that they will demand employers respect.

BWTUC  will be carried out aworkshop to call for employers and authority to find solutions on workers’ challenges at workplaces.

 

2023, 2023 Europe, 2023 UK, Events listing, News

Britain: Safety reps make schools safer

On International Workers Memorial Day, UK teaching union NEU says it will “celebrate the difference NEU health and safety reps can make in keeping staff and pupils safe.” 

Link to the NEU 28 April  poster

2023, 2023 Asia-Pacific, 2023 Malaysia, Events listing, News

Malaysia: Multiple activities to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day

BWI affiliate TEUPM is planning a safety activity  together with MTUC affiliates in MTUC Headquarters. TEUPM will conduct joint training between TEUPM and Evergreen Fibreboard Berhad (Batu Pahat) / as signaoitory to the OHS declaration. Further training will be held training between TEUPM and and another signatory Craft Master Timber Products

Another BWI affiliate, UFES, is planning an online campaign using photos videos and other tools in eight regions.

2023, 2023 Asia-Pacific, 2023 Indonesia, Events listing, News

Indonesia: Marking 28 April with online campaigning, safety meetings and joint mass action

SERBUK/FKUI is planning a 28 April online campaign with photos, videos and other tools developed by members in 5 regions. The union will also provide a seminar with safety training  at PT Bukit Muria Jaya (Karawang, West Java) as the company is a signatory to the occupational health and safety declaration. Finally there will be a mass action in Jakarta with various GUF affiliates and various NGOs including INA-BAN to raise the issue of the Amendment to the Rotterdam Convention.