Important Commemorative Service on Dennis Street this Saturday

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE & DISTRICT LABOUR COUNCIL

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Over 20 years ago this April 28, the Canadian Labour Congress held its first annual Day of Mourning event: a day to rededicate ourselves to the goal of making Canada’s workplaces healthier and safer. 

In 1988 the Ontario Legislature officially recognized April 28 as the Provincial Day of Mourning and in February of 1991 the federal government passed a law that recognized April 28 as the National Day of Mourning.

Since then successive governments have pledged their support to workers and their unions.

They announce new workplace health and safety laws and regulations - some of the best in the world.

Unfortunately, they have failed to provide the resources needed to enforce those laws.

This is the reason why Canada's workplaces claim a growing number of lives every year: the laws are not enforced, so the reckless employers are allowed to carry on without consequence and in many cases are rewarded financially under a program known as "Experience Weighting."

We must not only commemorate the dead and the injured on this day but we 
must also think long and hard about the losses that their families and 
communities have suffered. The labour movement is in a constant struggle to 
try to protect workers and pressure governments to enact strong workplace 
safety laws - and enforce them.

The public is invited to a Commemoration Service at the Grand Gardens, 68 Dennis Street (former Steelworkers Hall on the main floor) at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2012. 

Coffee, snacks and conversation will follow the ceremony.

We encourage flags to be flown at half-mast and that people everywhere will observe a minute of silence at exactly 11 a.m.

Join to recognize victims of workplace accidents and disease as we remember to “Fight for the Living and Mourn for the Dead.”

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