CUPE members to commemorate Day of Mourning throughout Alberta
EDMONTON – April 28 is the National Day of Mourning for workers killed, injured or who become ill as a result of unsafe working conditions or workplace hazards.
“One hundred and twenty-three workers in Alberta lost their lives on the job last year and many more sustained injuries,” says CUPE Alberta President Marle Roberts. “Safety must be a priority so that all workers come home safely at the end of each day.”
In 1984 CUPE’s National Health and Safety Committee proposed the idea for a day to honour workers injured or killed at work. This year will mark the 28th National Day of Mourning. The day will be recognized across Canada and in more than a hundred countries around the world.
Here are events sponsored by District Labour Councils throughout Alberta:
APRIL 27, 2012
Calgary and District Labour Council
Wreath laying ceremony and memorial service
11:00 a.m.
City of Calgary Workers Memorial
Edward Place Park, SW corner of City Hall, 9th Avenue and MacLeod Trail SE
APRIL 28, 2012
Edmonton and District Labour Council
“Broken Families Obelisk” dedication and ceremony
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Grant Notley Park, 11603 – 100 Avenue
Reception to follow
Yellowhead Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
11:00 a.m.
Jesse Turgeon Park
(Guild – across from the mill), Hinton
Fort McMurray & District Labour Council
11:00 a.m.
Howard Pew Memorial Park
Tolen Drive (Railway Avenue), Fort McMurray
Medicine Hat and District Labour Council
11:00 a.m.
Day of Mourning Ceremony
At the Memorial at the foot of Scholten Hill, Medicine Hat
In 2011, according to Workers’ Compensation Board statistics, 28 workers lost their lives due to motor vehicle accidents. Last year workplace incident fatalities claimed 43 lives and 52 workers succumbed to occupational diseases like asbestosis and black lung.
JS/gb
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