The TWU National Health and Safety Committee, in honour of the National Day of Mourning on April 28, 2011,

would like to recognize the men and women of the TWU and their families who have been affected by workplace death, injuries and occupational disease.  No one deserves to be hurt or killed as a result of going to work.

In the 67 year history of the TWU, many members have had lost time injuries, have become permanently disabled or have been killed on the job.  Even though members of joint workplace Health and Safety Committees strive to eliminate workplace accidents and injuries, it is the responsibility of each one of us to make safety the first priority on the job.

In 2009, 939* workplace deaths were recorded in Canada.  This represents 2.57 deaths every single day.  Another 260,284* lost time injuries occurred.

The TWU hopes that observing the National Day of Mourning will strengthen the resolve of members to do their part to eliminate unsafe conditions in the workplace.  April 28 is as much a day to remember the dead as it is a call to protect the living.

It is your life.  Don’t leave work without it.

Members are encouraged to participate in Day of Mourning events in their area. TWU members who choose to attend must do so at their own personal expense and time.

On Thursday, April 28, 2011, bring your union banners and invite co-workers, friends and family members to attend events in your area.

British Columbia

Burnaby – 12 p.m. – Burnaby City Hall
    Guest speaker Ken Georgetti – CLC President
    4949 Canada Way

Vancouver - 8 a.m. - 9 a.m., Hastings Park
Corner of Hastings and Renfrew
Parking at Gate 2 off Renfrew

Kamloops – 6 p.m., St. Andrews on the Square
159 Seymour Street

Fort St. John, BC - 12 p.m.
Walk from City Hall to Centennial Park

Prince George - 7:30 a.m., Workers’ Memorial Statue
Patricia Blvd. and Queensway

Williams Lake – 11 a.m.
    Ceremonies at the City Hall Cenotaph

Quesnel - 5:30 p.m., Monument on Anderson Drive
    Next to the Firehall on the West Side

Kelowna - 12:30 p.m., Ben Lee Park
    Near Leathead Rd. and Hollywood Rd

Alberta

Calgary 12:00 noon, City of Calgary Workers Memorial, Edward Place Park
SW Corner of City Hall, 9th Ave. & Macleod Trail SE
Wreath Laying Ceremony and Memorial Service

Edmonton - 6 p.m., City Hall
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
15th Annual International Day of Mourning Candlelight Ceremony
Refreshments

Ontario

Toronto - 12:00 noon, Larry Sefton Park
Bay and Hagerman Streets
Located immediately behind Toronto City Hall

Ottawa - 12:30 p.m., Vincent Massey Park
Entrance on Heron Road at Riverside Drive
Fundraising BBQ will follow the ceremony

Barrie - Blood Donor Clinics, 231 Bayview Drive,
In recognition of Workers Killed and Injured at Work
Call 1.888.2.DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to book appointment
Tues., April 26 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wed., April 27 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Thurs., April 28 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Quebec

For the first time, the CSD, CSN and FTQ will jointly commemorate the April 28th Day of Mourning. The three labour centrals have come together to organize common activities that will be happening in work places in many regions of Québec and in the streets of Montréal.

All workers are encouraged to wear a black ribbon.  An inter-union newspaper has been created to demonstrate the sad assessment of neglected prevention.

All Regions - 10 a.m., Observe a minute of silence in memory of deceased workers.

Montréal – 8 a.m., Funeral march starting at Place Versailles shopping centre.
A funeral march toward the offices of the Québec Minister of Labour to once again demand that the tools provided in the “Loi sur la santé et la sécurité du travail” be finally made available to all workers in Québec. Gather before the march in the Place Versailles parking lot starting at 7 a.m. Plan to use public transit (metro Radisson) as parking is limited and Place Versailles parking is monitored by security. Important notice: since this is a funeral march, no flags, posters, banners, balloons, etc. will be allowed.

Large banners will be displayed in areas offering great visibility so that the number of deceased workers can be seen.


* Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada statistics