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OSSTF District 11- Thames Valley
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District 11 Office |
Education Matters Online
Features
Volume 3, Issue 4: April 25, 2005
April 28, 2005 - National Day of MourningProvincial Communication (DBU #111-2004/2005) |
For some years, Canadian unions have been observing an annual day of remembrance for workers killed and injured on the job. The Canadian Labour Congress Executive Council formalized this trend in 1984 and designated April 28 as the National Day of Mourning. April 28 was chosen as it was the day of the third reading of the first comprehensive Workers’ Compensation Act in Canada (Ontario, 1914).
April 28 is now officially recognized by Parliament in Bill C-223, an Act Respecting a Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace (short title: Workers’ Mourning Day Act) which became law on February 1, 1991.
On average, one Canadian worker out of 16 is injured at work. This translates into one injury every 9 seconds. More than 800,000 injuries are reported annually in Canada of which more than 750 are fatal. OSSTF members are not exempt from risks and injuries. Many of our members are injured while dealing with student aggression and with the advent of technology, repetitive strain injuries are prevalent amongst our members. Pro-active health and safety remains our only chance to prevent injuries.
The theme for the 2005 CLC National Day of Mourning will be “Save Lives - Enforce Health and Safety Legislation”. We can no longer allow governments to pass legislation designed to protect workers and then not provide the resources to enforce those laws. Lives are not saved by governments simply adopting legislation. Lives are saved by governments enforcing legislation.
Local labour councils have ceremonies and events to mark the Day of Mourning. Please contact your local labour council for details. Day of Mourning materials are available from CLC.
Provincial Office staff will be observing two minutes of silence at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday , April 28. The switchboard will be shut-down for these two minutes. Arrangements have also been made to have the flag in front of 60 Mobile Drive lowered that day.
