Tag Archives: #iwmd21

2021, 2021 Canada, 2021 North America, Events listing

Canada: Day of Mourning – Recognizing the human cost of COVID-19 | Public Service Alliance of Canada

 

On the National Day of Mourning, PSAC joins Canada’s unions in recognizing the devastating human cost of COVID-19.

One year later, the pandemic has exposed many of the gaps inPSAC protections for workers across Canada. Workers and unions have had to fight for access to personal protective equipment, safe social distancing measures at work, paid sick leave and respect for basic health and safety rights.

Many of these health and safety issues are not new, but they’ve been exacerbated by the pandemic, and they disproportionately impact workers from marginalized communities because many work precarious jobs without access to sick leave.

Throughout the pandemic, PSAC has been working to secure safe and healthy working conditions for our members, wherever work is taking place. PSAC members have been exposed to COVID-19 at meat-packing plants, border crossings, federal penitentiaries, in hospitals, on military bases and at the office. We continue to fight for access to free personal protective equipment, proper training and paid sick days so that workers can stay home when they’re sick without the risk of exposing their co-workers, families and communities to COVID-19.

An estimated 58 per cent of Canadian workers don’t have access to paid sick leave through their employers, according to a report by the Decent Work and Health Network. That number rises to 70 per cent among people making less than $25,000 a year.

In the months ahead, our health and safety committees will continue to monitor workplaces, making sure employers respect your health and safety rights, including the right to refuse unsafe work, and ensure that all workplaces are safe before reopening.

PSAC will also continue to pressure provincial and territorial governments to provide universal, permanent and adequate paid sick leave so that nobody has to choose between going to work sick and getting paid.

Take action 

To add your voice to the call for paid sick leave for all, join the Canadian Labour Congress’s phone banking session on April 28 (English only) to call on decision-makers to take action on paid sick leave.

You can also download the CLC’s digital toolkit and shareables to mark the National Day of Mourning with Facebook and Twitter profile pictures while attending online ceremonies in your area.

http://psacunion.ca/day-mourning-recognizing-human-cost-covid-19

2021, 2021 Canada, 2021 North America, Events listing

Canada: Unifor calls for pandemic protection for workers on National Day of Mourning

Unifor calls for pandemic protection for workers on National Day of Mourning

TORONTO– As Unifor prepares to mark the National Day of Mourning on April 28, the union is calling for immediate government action to provide pandemic protection for workers.

“The pandemic has starkly revealed inequities in our workplaces, with many workers continuing to offer essential services, despite the risks to their health and to that of their families,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “No one should have to die to make a living, but provincial governments continue to reject pandemic measures needed to protect workers.”

Sadly, 19 Unifor members lost their lives since the last Day of Mourning, either on the job or to COVID-19. The seven Unifor members who died from COVID-19 worked in a variety of sectors, including long-term care, warehouse and manufacturing. In their memory, Unifor is continuing to advocate for priority vaccine access for all workers who must leave the house, permanent paid sick days, paid vaccination time and increased rapid testing.

April 28 marks the National Day of Mourning, to pay tribute to workers who died due to workplace injury and occupational disease and recommit to improve health and safety in the workplace. This year’s even takes on special significance during the heightened safety concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related links:

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

https://www.unifor.org/en/whats-new/press-room/unifor-calls-pandemic-protection-workers-national-day-mourning

2021, 2021 Canada, 2021 North America, Events listing

Canada: Working people built this country: they’ve earned a right to safe workplaces, and deserve them – UNA

 

Last year, 150 Alberta workers lost their lives on the job.

Families and co-workers were devastated. There was an empty spot at many tables, conversations will be missed forever, there are deep regrets because there was no chance to say I love you one more time.

Then came COVID-19. When we first heard of the new disease overseas, most of us assumed it would never land it Canada. We thought Western medicine would save us.

We were wrong. When the carnage arrived, borders were closed, civil restrictions put in place, visitors restricted in health care settings, continuous masking was required, a Joint Statement negotiated, single-site orders, AFD payments, isolation measures, mental health concerns, N95 respirators locked up, overtime, burnout, short staffing, and the list goes on.

All you need to do is look around at your workplace to see the stress on your co-workers’ faces.

Conversations are different. Who’s talking about a winter vacation or summer holidays now? Who’s thinking about an upcoming wedding invitation? Instead we have restrictions on attending a funeral to say goodbye. Who thought we’d ever need an invitation to attend a funeral for a dear friend or family member?

COVID units are over capacity, nurses must hold up iPads so family members can say goodbye. Imagine the mental toll that takes on those nurses? Resilience is a word employers rely on and workers have come to hate.

Despite all this, the Alberta Government has launched attacks on the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It is reviewing the OHS Code and considering language that would gut Joint Workplace Health and Safety Committees, eviscerate the applicable rate of pay UNA won at arbitration, and change the rules to make it harder to refuse unsafe work.

Eliminating work refusals that save lives and protect workers’ health and safety are justified in the name of “job creators” who forget that people who work and spend their wages are the economic drivers of the economy. Labour for this government has become a dirty word.

2020, a year many would like to forget, but mustn’t!

As bad a year as 2020 has been, there are positive outcomes that will take us into the future.

Employers can no longer tell workers and their unions that policies can’t be changed quickly. We have seen OHS policy changed in a week, not three years.

Meetings are now held virtually. Zoom and Skype are normal. Business gets done but the value of sitting across the table and looking someone in the eye seems to have been lost. A handshake on a deal is gone for the moment. But we will get back.

Supply chain lines for PPE are now secured. PPE is now manufactured in Canada and Alberta, including quality face shields, medical masks, and N95 respirators. No manager should hesitate to supply any PPE, no worker should hesitate to ask. This includes N95 respirators, when they are needed to perform work safely.

Health care workers are now supposedly eligible to receive vaccinations. But some workers caring for COVID patients had to meet additional criteria to be vaccinated. What’s wrong with this picture?

We must never forget that governments come and go, even in Alberta. We, the workers of Alberta, will still be here to challenge inadequate legislation.

At the time of writing, six health care workers have died and more than 8,000 have tested positive for COVID-19.

We must remember that not all health care workers who become infected with COVID recover. Some become “long-haulers,” and that will be their life’s journey. They are the walking wounded. We don’t know what medical attention they will require or what their life needs will be.

This article is not just about COVID-19. Countless other injuries occurred that caused the deaths of those 150 workers in 2020. They went to work and ended up not going home. They likely went to the hospitals where you work, where you tried to give them another shot at life.

April 28 is the day we remember that we, working people, built this country. Working people have earned the right to safe workplaces, and unions to keep them safe. All working people deserve a safe workplace

Stay Healthy! Work Safe!

This year, I want to talk to you, not about you!

Dewey Funk, Occupational Health & safety Advisor, United Nurses of Alberta

https://www.una.ca/1240/working-people-built-this-country-theyve-earned-a-right-to-safe-workplaces-and-deserve-them

2021, 2021 Europe, 2021 Ireland, Events listing

Ireland: Strong unions saves lives!

uniteunionroi

Strong Unions Save Lives!

Tomorrow (Wednesday April 28th) is International Workers’ Memorial Day, when we remember all those killed, injured or suffering ill health as a result of their work, and pledge to redouble our efforts to ensure safer workplaces. The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on workplace health and safety, and has highlighted what workers always knew: strong unions save lives. #iwms #iwmd21 #unitetheunionireland #irishunions #unions #respectworkers #healthandsafety #solidarity #strongertogether

 

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2021, 2021 Europe, 2021 Wales, Events listing

Wales TUC newsletter is focusing on International Workers’ Memorial Day

The new wales TUC newsletter has just been released; its focus is International Workers’ Memorial Day.

2021, 2021 Europe, 2021 UK, Events listing

UK: FACK Statement International Workers’ Memorial Day 28 April 2021

Families Against Corporate Killers (FACK) Statement

International Workers’ Memorial Day 28 April 2021

  • It is fundamentally wrong that a wife should need to write heartbreakingly about her 6th year on the grief rollercoaster, missing her beautiful angel husband so much with every passing hour of her life.
  • It is fundamentally wrong that a mum should be marking the 18th year since her 17-year-old son was taken from her, the pain she feels, never healing, instead festering like an open wound.
  • It is fundamentally wrong that a daughter should wish her dad a happy 56th birthday, while lamenting that he will be forever 37.
  • And it is fundamentally wrong that a fiancée should go from choosing wedding cars to instead sitting in
    a funeral cortège.

We FACKers are therefore at a loss to understand why we are even having to seek to convince the International Labour Organisation that health and safety should be recognised as a fundamental right at work…!?

Because of course it should!

Read the full statement here

#iwmd21

Quotes

Quote: Sharan Burrow, CSI

Quote

«  Si la question de la santé et de la sécurité au travail devient un droit fondamental de l’OIT, les gouvernements et les employeurs auront une plus grande responsabilité pour mettre fin à cette hécatombe, et les syndicats et les représentants de la sécurité au travail auront davantage de poids. Seuls les mauvais employeurs s’opposeront à cette mesure et nous sommes prêts à nous battre pour sauver des vies. »

Sharan Burrow, la secrétaire générale de la CSI.

2021, 2021 Europe, 2021 Scotland, Events listing

Scotland: International Workers Memorial Day 28th April 2021: Fighting for the right to health and safety for all Scottish Workers

On International Workers’ Memorial Day, the STUC and Scottish Hazards will remind Governments, health and safety enforcement bodies and employers that health and safety is a fundamental right that every worker should be able to enjoy and expect. The two organisations have also written to Scotland’s local authorities and other public bodies to ask that public building and landmarks be lit purple on the 28th April to commemorate all those who have lost their lives as a result of work and remind us of the importance of healthier, safer and fairer work for all.

A minutes silence will be held at 11am to remember those who have lost their lives at work through COVID infection and other workplace accidents and disease.

Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary said:

“In the depths of current crisis, we must pay tribute to all the workers who have lost their lives through COVID infection but also to remember that workplace death, injury and disease is a day and daily occurrence.   We must use the period ahead to make workplaces safer, to strengthen workers voice and collective power and to bring employer and government to account.”

Scott Donohoe, Chair of Scottish Hazards said

“COVID-19 is not only a considerable health and safety risk it has exposed an occupational health and safety crisis that cannot, and should not, be allowed to be forgotten as restriction are eased and workplaces begin to reopen. This is not a return to normality it is a return to workplaces that have to be COVID secure and where the fundamental right for workers to be kept safe at work is respected.

“Since 2010 sustained ideological attacks on our health and safety regulations and our enforcement bodies have left them ill equipped to proactively enforce our fundamental rights and that is why Scottish Hazards is using Workers’ Memorial Day to call for health and safety and laws and enforcement to be devolved to Scotland and plans put in place to create a Scottish Occupational Health and Safety Agency”.

STUC/Scottish Hazards event 10.45am – 11.45am

Details of the buildings to be lit purple to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day on Wednesday

Aberdeen Council HQ, Marischal College, Aberdeen City Council

St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh, Scottish Government

Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, Scottish Government

Perth Bridge, Perth and Kinross Council

Edinburgh Castle, Historic Environment Scotland

Bascule Bridge, Renfrewshire Council

Renfrew Town Hall, Renfrewshire Council

Johnstone Band Stand, Renfrewshire Council

Lerwick Town Hall, Shetland Isalnds Council

SSE Hydro, SEC Glasgow, Glasgow City Council

#iwmd21

2021, 2021 global, Events listing

Europe: Meeting of the health and safety network for the trade union centres of in SEE and NIS nations

Встреча сети по охране труда для стран ННГ и ЮВЕ

В преддверии 28 апреля, Международного дня памяти трудящихся, погибших или получивших травмы на рабочих местах, ВЕРС провел встречу сети по охране труда для профцентров стран ЮВЕ и ННГ.

26-04-2021

Тон встрече задал Заместитель Генерального секретаря МКП, Оуэн Тюдор, рассказав о текущей значимой кампании МКП по продвижению стандартов охраны труда в разряд фундаментальных прав МОТ, призвав интенсифицировать лоббирование этого процесса на национальном уровне в преддверии 28 апреля, а также делиться информацией о действиях и успехах с международным профсоюзным движением.

Берт де Вел из МКП говорил об интеграции охраны труда в контекст справедливого перехода. Также он подчеркнул важность проблемы изменения климата несмотря на кризис с COVID19. Трудящиеся должны иметь голос при принятии решений в этих областях, понимать риски и потенциальное воздействие на их труд и средства существования. Также он рассказал об информационной кампании МКП по обеспечению устойчивости рабочих мест к изменению климата #CEPOW.

Виктор Кемпа, курирующий работу сети от Европейского профсоюзного института, рассказал о работе, которую ведет ЕПИ и ЕКП и ее членские организации по признанию COVID19 профессиональным заболеванием, отметив, что во многих странах это рассматривается как вопрос общественного здоровья, а не как профессиональный риск. Также он отметил для профсоюзов вызов не только признания заболевания профессиональным, но и доказательства того, что риск произошел на рабочем месте.

На круглом столе участники из двух суб-регионов обменялись основными проблемами, которые требуют от профсоюзов и экспертов по охране труда повышенного внимания. Среди них, помимо мер, направленных на снижение заболеваемости и профилактику COVID19, можно выделить: обеспечение реализации норм по охране труда при удаленной, платформенной, дистанционной и других формах занятости, рост которых спровоцировала пандемия, обеспечение мер безопасности на рабочих местах для работников, нанятых по гражданско-правовым контрактам, восстановление мандатов и функционала Инспекций труда.

Ключевыми достижениями профсоюзов в этой области в регионе стали Признание COVID19 профессиональным заболеванием в Хорватии, восстановление Инспекций труда в Грузии и Молдове.

Также представители процентров поделились своими планами на 28 апреля, среди которых как мероприятия национального уровня, так и инициативы сообществ на локальном уровне и непосредственно на рабочих местах.

Встреча состоялась в рамках проекта по укреплению потенциала национальных профцентров Union-to-Union.

Meeting of the health and safety network for NIS and SEE nations

Ahead of April 28, the International Day of Remembrance of Workers Who Died or Injured in the Workplace, PERC held a meeting of the health and safety network for the trade union centres of the countries of South East Europe and New Independent States.

26-04-2021

ITUC

The tone of the meeting was set by the ICP Under-Secretary-General, Owen Tudor, describing the ICP’s ongoing significant campaign to promote labour standards as fundamental rights for the ILO, calling for intensified lobbying at the national level in the run-up to 28 April,and to share information on actions and successes with the international trade union movement.

Bert de Vel of the ICP spoke of integrating health and safety into the context of a fair transition. He also stressed the importance of climate change despite the COVID19 crisis. Workers must have a voice in decision-making in these areas, understand the risks and potential impact on their work and livelihoods. He also spoke about the ICP’s information campaign to ensure the sustainability of jobs to climate change #CEPOW.

Victor Kempa, who oversees the network from the European Trade Union Institute, spoke about the work being done by the EPI and the ECP and its member organizations to recognize COVID19 as a professional disease, noting that in many countries this is seen as a public health issue, not a professional risk. He also noted for trade unions the challenge not only of recognizing the disease as a professional, but also evidence that the risk occurred in the workplace.

At the roundtable, participants from the two sub-regions exchanged the main issues that require increased attention from trade unions and health and safety experts. Among them, in addition to measures aimed at reducing morbidity and prevention of COVID19, there are: ensuring the implementation of health and safety standards in remote, platform, remote and other forms of employment, the growth of which was triggered by the pandemic, the provision of workplace safety measures for workers hired under civil contracts, the restoration of mandates and the functionality of the Labour Inspections.

The key achievements of trade unions in this area in the region were the recognition of COVID19 as a occupational disease in Croatia, the restoration of labor inspections in Georgia and Moldova.

Representatives of the union centers also shared their plans for April 28, including both national-level events and community initiatives at the local level and directly in the workplace.

The meeting took place within the framework of a project to strengthen the capacity of the Union-to-Union national trade centers.

2021, 2021 Europe, 2021 Gibraltar, Events listing

Gibraltar: Ceremony to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day

Unite the Union (Gibraltar Branch) in collaboration with the Gibraltar Cultural Service will be commemorating Workers Memorial Day with a ceremony on the 28th April at the Alameda Gardens commencing at 10.30am.