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Guelph Politico is locally sourced and dedicated to covering the political and cultural scene in the City of Guelph. Est. 2008.

Monday, April 26, 2010

CUPE 1334 Marks Day of Mourning for Workers

Wednesday is Canada's National Day of Mourning for workers who have suffered workplace injury, illness and death. To commorate the day, the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1334 offers this press release and the event it discusses to help Guelphites mark the occassion.

Day Of Mourning will emphasize criminal code provisions for worker deaths.

Guelph — On April 28, workers, their families, labour leaders and others in Guelph will gather to demand improvements to workplace health and safety laws and better enforcement of existing laws. This includes enforcement of Criminal Code provisions regarding workers killed on the
job.

Bill C-45 amended Canada’s Criminal Code in 2004. It created requirements that hold organizations and individuals within the organization criminally liable for death or bodily harm caused at work. Specifically, Section 217.1 of the Code establishes a legal duty for persons directing the work of others to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of workers and the
public.

To date, one company has been convicted under these provisions. The first C-45 charge in Ontario proceeded to court on March 22, 2010. Millennium Crane Rentals of Sault Ste. Marie was charged with criminal negligence causing the death of a worker. A criminal investigation into the December 24, 2009 construction incident that killed four workers and shattered the
legs and spine of a fifth worker is now underway.

According to Workplace Safety & Insurance Board statistics, last year the families of 488 workers filed death claims and more than 317,000 workers filed occupational injury and disease claims. The outcomes of countless other workplace incidents and exposures go unreported, especially occupational disease claims.

In 1984, the Canadian Labour Congress, and its affiliated unions, established April 28th as the day to honour workers killed, injured or made ill. Today the day is recognized in more than 100 countries. Day of Mourning events will take place in more than 40 Ontario communities and
many more workplaces.

Local Event Information

Event Host: Guelph and District Labour Council
Location: Goldie Mill Park
Date: Wednesday April 28th, 2010
Time: 5.00pm
Speakers: Mayor Karen Farbridge, Blain Morin CUPE OHSC, Janice Folk Dawson CUPE 1334, The Gurley Flynns

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