Day of Mourning recognition must come with commitment to keep workers safe

NEWS RELEASE

April 27, 2020

Day of Mourning recognition must come with commitment to keep workers safe

Tomorrow, April 28th, is the National Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job. It also marks the first time the Government of Saskatchewan will fly flags at half-mast in recognition of workers who died on the job.

“The federation of labour has been lobbying the provincial government to fly flags at half-mast to recognize the Day of Mourning; we are happy they have agreed,” said SFL President Lori Johb.

However, any recognition of the Day of Mourning must come with a commitment to do more.

“Safe workplaces are always a priority for the federation of labour, but it’s even more pressing during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the provincial government talks about re-opening Saskatchewan, we need concrete plans to protect workers,” said Johb, “the provincial government must legislate paid sick days for workers, raise the minimum wage so our frontline heroes can make at least $15 an hour, and make sure all workers have the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) they need,” she added.

Throughout the year the federation of labour has been busy on occupational health and safety.

“Through our partnership with the Saskatchewan WCB, we run the Ready for Work program which does presentations in high schools across the province. We have also partnered with the WCB to create a website – www.WorkYourRights.ca – aimed at young adults to find accessible information on workplace rights, in several languages,” said Johb, “we worked with many government stakeholders to create a strategy to address the crisis of workplace deaths and injuries in Saskatchewan, and we continue our OH&S advocacy in many other ways,” she added.

Tomorrow morning, the SFL will release a short video message about the Day of Mourning from Lori Johb. The video will be posted on the SFL’s social media channels.

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For more information, contact:

Kent Peterson

Strategic Advisor

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL)

1 (306) 570-1855

k.peterson@sfl.sk.ca


We recognize and pay respects to the following workers, who died as a result of their work in 2019 and were deemed compensable by the Saskatchewan WCB:

Brendan Unger 41

Lorne Bear 74

Thomas (Les) Rogers 70

Francis (Frank) Kunz 89

Kris Hockley 46

Leigh Schroeder 28

Ian Irwin 48

Shirley Barr 85

Clifford Bueckert 56

Ronald Mogg 61

Mark Biglin 38

Lisa Johnson 48

Erick (Leroy) Coates 81

Richard Oak 64

August Zepick 90

John Vanderhulst 63

Morley Coleman 76

Danny Rider 65

Stephen Brown 60

Keith Schentag 61

Murray Broad 77

Braeden Rudolph 19

Lloyd Wedewer 70

Knute Olsen 60

Louis Nault 56

Leslie Hajdu 85

Richard Wills 72

Edward Thibault 74

Douglas Lachambre 67

Louis Antal 79

Reginald Reimche 74

Kevin Milnes 64

Wayne O’Quinn

John Mansuy

Donald Thibodeau

William Styranko