Day of Mourning recognition must come with commitment to keep workers safe
Released April 27, 2020
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
