On April 28, many ceremonies will be held on the Island to remember the workers killed or injured on the job.
“Every April 28th, workers across the country and around the globe gather to remember workers that were killed or injured at work. In Canada, on average, a worker dies every eight hours,” said Jason Woodbury CUPE PEI representative sitting on the National Health and Safety Committee.
It was CUPE’s National Health and Safety Committee who in 1984, first proposed the idea of a day to remember workers injured or killed on the job. Soon after, CUPE at the national, provincial and local levels, along with the Canadian Labour Congress, began to recognize April 28th as the Day of Mourning.
“We are inviting all Islanders to take the time to remember those workers on April 28th and if possible, participate in the flag raising ceremonies on this day,” added Woodbury.
“We also encourage employers across the province to recognize the Day of Mourning and to set up regulations that will make our workplaces safer and healthier,” concluded Leonard Gallant, CUPE PEI Acting President.