THE FREE PRESS, Thursday, May 15, 2014 C5
Mining Week ~ May 11 to 17
Day of Mourning ceremony honours fallen workers
The Day of Mourning was established in 1984 as a day to remember those injured or killed in the mines. By Nicole Obre and Angela Treharne
A
Work Safe BC Safety Inspector Jeff McKay.
Photo by Nicole Obre
cross Canada, April 28 has been designated the Day of Mourning, as a day for workers, families, employers, and others to remember lives lost in the workplace and to resolve to prevent future tragedies. The United Steelworkers Local 9436, representing the Teck, Elkview Operations, hold a special public Elk Valley service to recognize workplace injury and death and to honour the workers who have lost their lives or become disabled following a workplace accident. This year Sparwood hosted the annual Day of Mourning ceremony in Centennial Square on Monday afternoon, recognizing workers who have been killed, injured, or suffered illness due to workplace related hazards and incidents. The ceremony featured a number of speakers, including Sparwood Mayor Lois Halko, Work Safe BC Safety Inspector Jeff McKay, United Steelworkers local 9346 President Alex Hanson, and United Steelworkers local 7284 President Nick Howard. Originally known as Workers’ Memorial Day and created by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Canadian Labour Congress declared April 28 an annual day of remembrance in 1985. The day became a national observance with the passing of the Workers Mourning Day Act in December 1990, making April 28, 1991 the first official National Day of Mourning for those killed or injured in the workplace. The Day of Mourning has since spread to about 80 countries around the world and has been adopted by the AFL-CIO and the International Confederation of Free Trade. Each year on April 28 the Canadian flag on Parliament Hill flies at half-mast. Workers light candles, don ribbons and black armbands and observe moments of silence. Businesses are asked to participate by declaring a Day of Mourning and to strive to prevent workplace deaths, illnesses and injuries. As much as this is a day to remember the deceased, it is also a call to protect the living.
We salute Teck Coal for their operations and continued community support
Did you know?
Mining Facts
Direct jobs in the Elk Valley: 3500 Worksafe B.C. statistics show that the mining industry is the safest heavy industry in BC.
is proud to support the mining industry in the Elk Valley 585 Michel Creek Sparwood, BC 1 800-663-2705
www.manitoulintransport.com
Coal represents a third of the industrial traffic at the Port of Vancouver, the largest port in Canada. Mining is one of the highest paid industrial sectors nationwide. The coal stocks of southern British Columbia and Alberta are among the richest in Canada. Major minerals produced in BC (as a % of Canada’s production): Coal (66%); Copper (40%); Silver (50%); Gold, Lead, Molybdenum & Zinc. Canada is one of the worlds leading mining countries.
Supporting the Mining and Exploration Community 250-464-9559 • www.ekcm.org