Tag Archives: #cupw

2024 Canada, 2024 Global, 2024 North America, Events listing, News

Canada: National Day of Mourning – April 28, 2024

Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)

The National Day of Mourning, observed annually in Canada on April 28, pays tribute to those who have lost their lives, been injured, become ill or suffered tragedy at work. It’s a day to remember those who have suffered because of their work. It’s also a day to renew our collective commitment to improving workplace health and safety, and to preventing further injuries, illnesses, and deaths. This year’s theme is “Safe Work Now!”

Today the Day of Mourning is observed in more than 100 countries around the world and is also known as International Workers’ Memorial Day. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) recognize this day as World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), there were 993 workplace fatalities in Canada in 2022, including 941 men, 50 women and 2 non-binary people, as well as 33 young workers between the ages of 15 and 24. In addition to these fatalities, 348,747 lost-time injury claims were accepted across the country. This represents an increase of 75,000 cases compared to 2021.

We are well aware that these figures do not reflect reality, since they do not include work-related injuries that employers try to conceal by persuading workers not to report them, offering them instead in-house accommodations without medical advice as a way to recover.

By using this approach, employers neglect declaring these cases as disabling injuries resulting in time lost.

For more information on the various statistics, please consult the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada link below:

https://awcbc.org/en/statistics/canadian-workers-compensation-system-year-at-a-glance

To find out about the various activities planned across the country on Sunday, April 28, 2024, I invite you to consult the Canadian Labour Congress website at:

Day of Mourning Ceremonies 2024 | Canadian Labour Congress

We have asked Canada Post to fly the Canadian flag at half-mast and observe a minute of silence at all the facilities that will be in operation that day.

An injury to one is an injury to all.

Related Content

Day of Action: CUPW Members in Solidarity with the Warford 30 of our St. John’s local!
Friday February 23 2024
Minutes of the National Joint Health and Safety Committee (February 19th, 2024)
Monday February 19 2024
Working In Extreme Cold
Wednesday January 17 2024
Minutes of the National Joint Health and Safety Committee (November 9th, 2023)
Thursday November 9 2023
Minutes of the National Joint Health and Safety Committee (September 7th, 2023 and September 20th, 2023)
Wednesday September 20 2023
CUPW will not attend CPC’s virtual health and safety conference
Thursday September 7 2023
Working In The Heat
Friday July 7 2023
Minutes of the National Joint Health and Safety Committee (July 6th, 2023)
Thursday July 6 2023
National Joint Uniform Committee Meeting Minutes (June 8, 2023)
Thursday June 8 2023
Forest Fires Rage Across the Country
Tuesday June 6 2023

2021, 2021 Canada, 2021 North America, Events listing

Canada: National Day of Mourning – April 28, 2021 CUPW Shows Respect

 

The National Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives or suffered injury or illness on the job. This annual event was initiated by the labour movement 37 years ago to increase awareness of on-the-job injuries and fatal workplace accidents. This day of remembrance was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, six years after it was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) in 1985.

Although the National Day of Mourning is now recognized in more than 100 countries, including Canada, last year underscored that there is still a lot of work to accomplish in order to improve workers’ safety.

In the past year, the way we live and work greatly changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of Canadian workers have had to cope with reduced work hours or modified schedules, or been compelled to stay at home due to childcare issues, illness, or other personal challenges stemming from government-mandated emergency measures. Yet, others have had to continue working in spite of the persistent danger this virus represents.

We had to adapt the way we work, using personal protective equipment adapted to our different activities throughout the country. Workers of various sectors such as the postal service, put their health and safety at risk on a daily basis to ensure that Canadians can get through these unprecedented times. And all the while trying their best to take care of their own well-being and mental health.

This Wednesday, April 28, 2021, it is important that, wherever we are, we take the time to remember our brothers and sisters who have endured hardships or who tragically did not survive this terrible virus. Let us also remember those who died, suffered injuries or became disabled while on duty. We must all commit to continuing the struggle to force employers and governments to fulfill their obligation to make every workplace a safe and healthy one. We must also continue seeking stronger health and safety standards and protection, and better enforcement in our workplaces.

AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!

In solidarity,

Marc Roussel

National Union Representative – Health and Safety

Attachment Size
NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING – APRIL 28, 2021 CUPW SHOWS RESPECT (pdf) 352.43 KB
Poster (pdf)

https://www.cupw.ca/en/national-day-mourning-%E2%80%93-april-28-2021-cupw-shows-respect

2017, 2017 canada, News

Canada: National Day of Mourning – April 28, 2017 – CUPW Shows Respect

The National Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives, or suffered injury or illness on the job. This annual event was initiated by the labour movement 33 years ago to increase awareness of on-the-job injuries and fatal workplace accidents. This day of remembrance was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, more than eight years after it was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to raise awareness of on-the-job injuries and fatal workplace accidents.

While the National Day of Mourning is now recognized in over 100 countries, including Canada, and is observed each year, there is still a lot of work to accomplish to improve workers’ safety. A number of Canadian legislative provisions dealing with occupational health and safety are deemed exemplary internationally, but most Canadian governments have not provided the necessary resources to ensure they are applied.

At Canada Post, we’ve mourned the loss of workers. We’ve had to go through the grief and pain associated with the death of a sister or brother. This year, on April 28, the CLC will commemorate the Westray Mine disaster, in Nova Scotia, where 26 miners lost their life at work following a methane gas explosion. This tragedy led to the adoption, in March 2004, of Bill C-45 that provides for the attribution of criminal liability to organizations and their representatives who fail to abide by their health and safety obligations.

On April 28, we take the time to remember those who lost their lives, suffered injuries or became disabled on the job. We must all commit to continuing the struggle to force employers and governments to fulfill their obligation to make every workplace a safe and healthy one. We must also continue seeking stronger health and safety standards and protection, and better enforcement in our workplaces.

http://www.cupw.ca/en/national-day-mourning-%E2%80%93-april-28-2017-%E2%80%93-cupw-shows-respect