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Lowering the flag honours workers killed, injured on the job K A R E N PAT O N- EVA N S POSTMEDIA CONTENT WORKS
“I was surprised and outraged at discovering just how many young people – teenagers and workers in their early twenties – are injured or killed within hours or days of starting a new job,” says Percy Hatfield. The Windsor-Tecumseh MPP and retired CBC television reporter wants more people to recognize what is happening. Too often, workers are put in harm’s way because “their safety training was either cursory or fluffed off. Often, they are left to work on their own without supervision,” says Hatfield. “This can happen in situations where there is heavy equipment, complicated machinery, or even in a sandwich shop with sharp knives and hot ovens.” Two years ago, the NDP MPP decided to raise a flag on workplace safety concerns by requesting the Maple Leaf be lowered on all publicly funded buildings in Ontario every Apr. 28, the National Day of Mourning for Workers. He authored his private members’ public Bill 180 and presented it to the Ontario Legislature. All parties supported the bill and the resulting Workers Day of Mourning Act passed in June 2016. “I was motivated to do more to highlight the importance of the Workers Day of Mourning because I didn’t see evidence that enough attention was being paid to commemorate the occasion,” Hatfield says.
An injury to one is an injury to all.
When people spot flags respectfully lowered at schools, hospitals, municipal buildings, libraries, fire halls, museums, arenas and police stations, they wonder what has occurred. That opens conversations and increases awareness. In bringing his bill forward, Hatfield also hoped “to raise the need for more and ongoing on-the-job safety training.” Lowering the flag also “pays tribute to those who have been injured or killed on the job or are suffering from a work-related illness; and to remind members of their families that they are not alone, that we are there for support and we haven’t forgotten the sacrifice made by their loved ones,” says Hatfield. “An injury to one is an injury to all.” Hatfield adds that he knows surviving family members appreciate
Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Percy Hatfield, accompanied by Windsor-Tecumseh MP Cheryl Hardcastle, participate in last year’s National Day of Mourning parade at Coventry Gardens in Windsor. CON TRI BU TE D
thought of the impact of the new act. Today, he says, “I would hope when people see the flags lowered (they) would notice, and either ask why, or motivate more of us to think twice about our own safety on the job. “I would hope motivated educators would use the occasion to discuss the importance of the day with their students, and to encourage them to keep safety in mind at all times in their part-time jobs, or to talk about it with their parents,” Hatfield says. “As parents, there is much to gain by having a conversation with our teenagers or grandchildren about
their part-time jobs and the need to work in safe conditions and to speak up if they feel there are situations at work which could be made more safe,” he thinks. “Better safe than sorry.” Ontario labour minister Kevin Flynn “says his ministry is doing more to stress training and holding more spot inspections on the plant floor, yet there is a concern that the ministry is moving toward an employer self-reporting system and we will see fewer ministry inspectors on the job, and that is troubling to many people involved with safety training in this provS E E F L A G S O N C5
NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING WAS PRODUCED BY CONTENT WORKS, POSTMEDIA’S COMMERCIAL CONTENT STUDIO.
Silver Kuris and her brother Liam carry a large wreath during last year’s National Day of Mourning service in Windsor. Their father Sam was killed on the job and Silver read an emotional poem about losing her dad. F I L E S
the gesture. “Many attend our local Workers Day of Mourning annual ceremony and bring their children, and we renew friendships. We’ve seen young children grow into their teenage years without a father, and we hear their stories and you can’t help but be touched by what they are going through. No one should lose a parent to an on-the-job injury, but the unfortunate fact is we still are seeing too many work-related incidents,” Hatfield says. He has worked closely with
Tracie Edward and the late Rolly Marentette of the Windsor and District Labour Council and the local organizers of the annual Day of Mourning events “on ways to get more people thinking about the significance of the day.” He observes that the labour council “has always done a terrific job in our area.” On Apr. 28, 2016, walking with participants carrying carnations to lay in memory of workers injured or killed at work, Hatfield WIN00861183_1_1
WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND SAFETY National Day of Mourning for Workers
Prevent worker disability, disease and death.
#Make work safe
OSSTF District 9 Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation
www.whsc.on.ca • 1-888- 869 -7950 WIN00861224_1_2
www.osstf9.com
WIN00861177_1_2
Representing
Unifor Locals 195, 200, 240, 244, 1498, 1941, 1959, 2027, 2458
NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING APRIL 28TH
WE CAME TO WORK, NOT TO DIE
Unifor Guardian Board members will always remember those who have been injured, lost their lives to work-related incidents or occupational diseases. When a “Worker Dies” a “Family Mourns” as we all feel the pain and loss in our labour family WIN00861175_1_2
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Every worker has the right to be safe on the job, Canada’s labour councils and union maintain. - G E T TY I M AG E S
Health, safety key K A R E N PAT O N- EVA N S POSTMEDIA CONTENT WORKS
Mike Cobb, only 24 years old, died while working at Prestressed Systems Inc. April 12. His union suggests equipment malfunction may be to blame and awaits the outcome of an investigation. “It is tragic,” says Mike Jee, chairperson of the Windsor and District Labour Council’s National Day of Mourning Committee. Adamant that no one should lose their lives on the job at any age, the labour council has Cobb on their minds and in their hearts as they prepare for their commemorative events this Saturday. The day will honour all workers who have died or been injured while working for their employers. The collective cry for workplace safety and the call for work that promotes workers’ dignity and health will be heard from coast to coast to coast tomorrow, the National Day of Mourning, established by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984. The observance is also held in more than 100 other countries. “April 28th was picked because on that day in 1914, the first Workers Compensation Act in Ontario was proclaimed. We pause to remember and honour workers who have lost their lives or sustained injury while working – and to renew our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths,” Jee says. There is much room for improvement in Canadian workplaces, he believes. “Clearly workers are still being killed, disabled and injured. “Higher, proactive safety standards and inspections, increasing the number of inspectors, tougher penalties for employers that kill
workers, and a fair compensation system that does not plunge our permanently injured into poverty and despair would be a great start.” Jee adds, “Any loss of life or injury is unacceptable. The reactive nature of our lawmakers enables business to continue adhering to minimum standards.” Every worker has the right to be safe on the job. Canada’s labour councils and unions continue to research and promote solutions and lobby for standards that protect all workers in every workplace. Taking time to observe the National Day of Mourning is important to all workers and to all Canadians. While there were no work-related deaths on the job locally in 2017, the Windsor and District Labour Council and its Day of Mourning Committee know ongoing vigilance is imperative. They will continue to advocate for employment conditions that are safe and non-threatening for everyone. “Workplace violence and harassment of any kind is unacceptable. Our teachers and support staff, corrections officers and health care professionals are at higher risk,” Jee notes. “This is concerning.” When someone is killed in the workplace, it is devastating for their loved ones, friends and work colleagues. There are meaningful ways that people can show their care and support on the Day of Mourning and beyond. “Join us in mourning on April 28,” Jee says. “Talk about what you observe and learn. Talk about safety and refusing unsafe work. Anytime you go down to Coventry Gardens, pause at the monument and pay respect. Demand higher, proactive safety standards from your government.”
SERVICE, MARCH THIS SATURDAY Local workers, families, unions, labour organizations, politicians, supporters, community partners and employers will be coming together for the National Day of Mourning, held every year on April 28 in Canada and in more than 100 other countries. The Windsor and District Labour Council invites everyone to join them this Saturday for all or part of its annual observances. At 11 a.m., everyone will congregate at St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church, located at Wyandotte Street East at Westminster Boulevard. Jada Malott, a local teenage activist, will lead the observance in the sanctuary of the church. “This will be the first observance since our champion, mentor, advocate and teacher of health and safety and injured workers, Rolly Marentette, passed away from illness. We will honour him, also,” says Mike Jee, chairperson of the Windsor and District Labour Council’s National Day of Mourning Committee. Afterward, everyone will march from the church to Coventry Gardens at 4714 Riverside Dr. E. between Thompson Boulevard
and Pillette Road. Marchers and participants arriving to join them will gather at the Injured Workers Monument at approximately 11:45 a.m. The Labour Council is offering carnations to participants, who will lay the flowers at the monument in memory of their loved ones, colleagues and union sisters
and brothers. All are welcome to the reception at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 12 at 2090 Brant St. in Windsor. It will begin at 12:30 p.m. For more information about the Windsor and District Labour Council and the National Day of Mourning, please contact Mike Jee at 519-252-8281.
NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING WE REMEMBER
‘Mourn the dead, fight for the living’ F L A G S F R O M C4
Unions “do a great job stressing on the job safety,” Hatfield says, “but not all workplaces are unionized, and work habits anywhere can get sloppy unless someone stays on top of the file at individual locations.” The Ontario Federation of Labour’s slogan is “attentiongrabbing”: ‘Kill a Worker, Go To Jail.’ However, Hatfield says, “too many times employers are fined financially but perhaps if more company owners or supervisors were actually sent to jail after one of their employees died on the job, the message for more attention to safety training and safety on the work site would convince others to get more serious about it on a continual basis.” Acknowledging “we have made gains, we are still losing too many people to work-related injuries,” he says. “Our workplaces are better today than years ago when asbestos was in the air or solvents and chemicals and dust were commonplace and workers eventually died a slow and painful death – but we can never give up. We owe it to those who have died or become incapacitated, and their families, to stay ever vigilant.” Efforts to increase awareness of workplace safety issues are ongoing. In the Ontario Legislature at Queens Park on Apr. 25, Hatfield made a 90-second member’s statement, speaking about the significance of the National Day of Mourning for Workers. “As we get set to once again mourn for the dead and fight for the living, we all could do more to make on-the-job safety a priority or to initiate a conversation,” he says. “It could prevent an accident or even save a life.”
Rolly Marentette (left), shown speaking during a rally in support of injured workers in 2015, will be honoured during this year’s National Day of Mourning observances in Windsor. WINDSOR STAR FILE
REMEMBERING those who have been injured or lost their lives in workplace accidents
Together we stand and humbly urge all to observe this day, which we hope will strengthen the establishment of safe conditions in the workplace. Let us commit to encouraging all employers and governments to fulfill their obligation of maintaining the health and safety of each and every employee, and to seek stronger health and safety protection and standards in our workplaces.
ON THIS DAY AND EVERY DAY WIN00861176_1_2
Lisa Gretzky, MPP Windsor West
5-321 Tecumseh Rd. E Windsor, ON N8X 2R5 519-977-7191 lisagretzkympp.ca
PROUD TO SUPPORT THE NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING
Percy Hatfield, MPP Taras Natyshak MPP Windsor Tecumseh Essex
1-5452 Tecumseh Rd. E., Windsor, ON N8T 1C7 519-251-5199 percyhatfield.com
316 Talbot St. N. Unit 5 Essex, ON N8M 2E1 519-776-6420 tarasnatyshak.com
The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers are dedicated to the identification and prevention of work-related illness and injuries. At the core of each clinic is dedicated staff trained in occupational health, who are available to provide FREE medical examinations for a full range of work-related illnesses and injuries. Our clinics also provide FREE ergonomic and occupational hygiene services.
Brian Masse, MP Windsor West
Making the Link between
2-1398 Ouellette Ave. Windsor, ON N8X 1J8 519-255-1631 brianmasse.ca
Work & Health Toll Free: 1-877-817-0336 WIN00861181_1_2
Cheryl Hardcastle, MP Tracey Ramsey, MP Windsor Tecumseh Essex 2-9733 Tecumseh Rd. E., Windsor, ON N8R 1A5 519-979-2707 cherylhardcastle.ndp.ca
316 Talbot St. N, Unit 6 Essex, ON N8M 2E1 519-776-4700 traceyramsey.ca WIN00861212_1_1