April 28: Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job

Monday, April 28 is the International Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job. The day will be recognized in communities throughout British Columbia and Canada.

Initiated in 1984 by the labour movement through the Canadian Labour Congress, the day has taken on more significance and is marked around the world.

In B.C., 139 workers lost their lives in 2007 as a result of work-related injury, illness or disease. In 2007 there were over 173,500 claims for injuries or occupational illness accepted by the Workers' compensation Board (WCB).

The statistics for young people are particularly alarming. According to WorkSafeBC, 41 young workers (under age 25) are injured each day. Six young people died on the job in 2007.

BCGEU members face these problems first-hand. The union estimates that between 1,500 to 1,800 BCGEU members are injured each year.

"It's not right that workers have to fear for their health or even their lives when they go to work," said George Heyman, BCGEU president. "All these deaths and injuries are preventable."

"BCGEU members, whether employed by government or any other employer, have the same risk of injury and occupational diseases that all workers in B.C. face. It is only through our activism and the ability to represent workers in the workplace that we can ensure that workplaces are safe," said Heyman.

In the past year we have had success in getting new WCB regulations to improve safety for late-night retail workers.

The B.C. Federation of Labour pushed for new regulations requiring employers to ensure that late-night retail workers have to work with at least one other worker, or there must be improved security measures including prepayment or secure work areas.

The push for new rules came after Grant DePatie, a young worker was killed while he tried to stop a "gas-and-dash" and was run over and dragged to his death.

Last year the provincial government agreed to a BCGEU proposal to have flags at the legislature and other provincial buildings lowered to half-mast to recognize the Day of Mourning. The BCGEU has made the suggestion to the government again this year. The union has also asked that provincial government
workers be given some time during the work day to commemorate those workers who have been killed or injured on the job.

"Please take a moment on April 28 to remember your family, friends and co-workers who have been hurt or killed on the job, and to re-commit yourself to ensure that working conditions for you and your co-workers are safe," said Heyman.

Click here for a listing of Day of Mourning events

For a PDF version of this notice, click here.