Laws needed against picket line violence, Saultites told

Ontario law should provide specific protection for striking workers on picket lines, Terry Downey, executive vice president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, told Saultites yesterday.

Speaking at a Day of Mourning ceremony at the Steelworkers Hall for workers injured and killed on the job, Downey referred to John Stammers, the 62-year-old accounting professor who died on March 25, five days after a picket line occurrence at Centennial College in Scarborough.

Downey was critical of the police investigation of the accident and said it's "shameful" that the driver was not charged.

"We have a right to be safe on our picket lines, and have regulations for that safety, as we do in our workplaces," she said.

Downey also called for laws protecting the right of workers to refuse to work in violent situations, and for ergonomic standards to prevent the 50 percent of lost-time injuries that she said are related to ergonomic issues.

The following Day of Mourning news releases were issued by the United Steelworkers of America and Ontario Ministry of Labour:

*********************** Day of Mourning an international day of reflection, say Steelworkers

TORONTO - Following the deaths of 65 Mexican miners in February and the murder of two striking steelworkers by Mexican authorities last week, United Steelworkers' (USW) National Director Ken Neumann said yesterday that the April 28th Day of Mourning is also a day to reflect on all workers everywhere who are killed, injured or made sick as a result of their work.

"On April 20th, 800 Mexican police stormed a steel plant held by striking workers," said Neumann. "Two steelworkers - Mario Castillo Zu and Hector Alvarez - were shot and killed. A third worker was crushed and dozens were injured."

Neumann said the USW has a campaign to pressure the Mexican ambassador to Canada and the Mexican government to respect workers' rights, including the right to a safe and healthy workplace.

"When the leader of the mineworkers union in Mexico demanded that corporate and government officials be held accountable for negligence in the February explosion that killed 65 coal miners, the Mexican government responded by forcibly removing him from office," said Neumann.

"Both Mexico and Canada say they are democratic countries and partners in NAFTA. That being the case, Canadian workers need to be increasingly protective of their democratic rights as well as their safety in a world where corporate interests override the interests of working people."

Neumann noted that in the forest industry in British Columbia alone last year, 43 workers were killed on the job.

Around the world, annual job-related deaths are said to be in the range of 1.9 - 2.3 million.

"We like to think we have come a long way from the early days of the last century," said Neumann. "The truth is technology and corporate bottom-line thinking are just killing us in more and newer ways. It's why we must continue to recognize April 28th as a global Day of Mourning."

The United Steelworkers represents 288,000 men and women working in every sector of Canada's economy.

For more information, visit the Steelworkers' website, usw.ca.

************************ McGuinty government marks Day Of Mourning by reaffirming commitment to reduce workplace injuries

Flags at half-mast at Ontario Government buildings

TORONTO - The Ontario government commemorated the Day of Mourning by reaffirming its commitment to reducing workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses in Ontario, said Labour Minister Steve Peters. "In 2004 alone, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board reported 296 work-related deaths and 277,422 workplace injuries," said Peters. "This is unacceptable. No job is worth a life." Flags at Ontario government buildings across the province were at half-mast yesterday to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the Day of Mourning.

Peters attended the St.Thomas and District Labour Council Day of Mourning Ceremony in St.Thomas, to honour Ontario's fallen workers. April 28 is observed across Canada as the Day of Mourning, a day to honour those who have died, suffered injury or experienced illness due to their jobs.

Declared in 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress, the Day of Mourning is recognized across the country and worldwide among approximately 80 countries. "More still needs to be done to improve workplace health and safety," said Peters. "We must continue to work together to prevent workplace tragedies so that one day work-related deaths and injuries will be a thing of the past." ********************