On Friday, April 28th, the flag at North Bay City Hall will fly at half-mast while local residents remember colleagues, friends and family who have been killed because of workplace-related hazards and incidents.
"Unions and employers continue to make significant strides preventing workplace deaths and injuries by educating workers to limit risks through greater safety measures and by reducing workplace exposure to harmful materials that impact the near and long-term health of frontline workers," says a news release from the North Bay Labour Council. "However, workplace injuries and fatalities continue to be a major issue in Canada."
On Friday North Bay workers will join the rest of Canadian labour by honouring the Westray explosion that ripped through the Westray Coal Mine in Nova Scotia, killing an entire shift of 26 workers. To this day, 11 of the dead workers’ remain entombed in the mine and recognized through a memorial park directly above.
"Even though Canada passed the Westray Law in 2004, which amended the Criminal Code of Canada to hold corporations criminally accountable for causing preventable death and injury on the job, we still have more work to do," continues the release.
"Everyone is welcome to join us in support of workplace safety," says Council President Henri Giroux. "The event will be held outside of city hall, at 10:30 a.m, with a brief reception to follow at OPSEU Hall, 150 First Street West."
Giroux will be joined by Ahmad Gaied, OFL Executive Vice President, to speak about the importance of preventing workplace injuries and fatalities.
