FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE: April 24th, 1998

NATIONAL DAY of MOURNING

Kingston: All across Canada workers from federal, provincial, municipal and all types of private workplaces will pause to remember and honour workers who have been killed, suffered injury and disease, or can no longer earn a living due to workplace accidents or exposures.

These men and women did not go to work to suffer injury or die. Like the many who will remember them on The National Day of Mourning, they were simply trying to make a living.

April 28 has been officially recognized as a day set aside each year by Labour, Government, and Community to recognize the national tragedy of workers killed, or suffering from injuries or diseases incurred in workplaces across Canada. The Day of Mourning has been recognized by the Canadian Labour Congress for many years. Trade unions in the USA, the UK, Asia and elsewhere have been organising events on this day since 1989.

In Kingston workplaces, the Day of Mourning observances include flags flown at half-mast, a moment of silence for workers killed and injured on the job, and special Health and Safety meetings. The City of Kingston will be lowering their flag again this year as they have since officially proclaiming the day in 1993.

This years ceremony will commence at 11:30 a.m. at the Steelworkers Hall (206 Concession Street) and will include a Hobo Lunch will all proceeds donated to the Injured Workers Association of Greater Kingston, an organization dedicated to helping those who have been injured at work.

Individuals are invited to join a gathering of community to observe a flag service and hear speakers Gary Bennett, City of Kingston Mayor; Charlie Stock, Kingston & District Labour Council President; Elizabeth Jones, Greater Kingston Injured Workers Association; Mary Cook, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Co-Ordinator; and Sandra Robertson on family impact of worker injury. Presentations will be made to local high school students who submitted winning posters to a contest designed to promote new worker awareness of workplace injuries.

The National Day of Mourning will also be brought to the publics attention this year through a street banner which will hang across Princess Street (at Clergy) starting on April 24. The Kingston and District Labour Council and artist Laurie Swim obtained a grant from the Ontario Arts Development Program for this project. On the banner are images of local people who have been injured or killed on the job.

Events such as the Day of Mourning make it more difficult for business and government to keep occupational health and safety an impersonal discussion of policy. In 1997, 344,142 Ontario workers were injured on the job. Of those, 95,291 were serious enough to cause lost time. Of workplace deaths, the Workers Compensation Board has recognized 186 as being work-related. Decisions are pending on another 82 deaths. On an average day in Ontario, there will be: one work-related death; over 500 lost-time injuries; three injuries resulting in amputations; and 70 injuries resulting in permanent impairment.

"April 28th - the Day of Mourning - is about real people who have been injured or killed on the job and their loved ones who have been affected by these workplace tragedies." said Charlie Stock, President of the Kingston and District Labour Council.

Black armbands will be worn by guests and Labour Council members as workers pause to Mourn for the Dead with a minute of silence and lowering the flag to half mast, then guest speakers will lead the Fight for the Living as workers draw attention to the carnage in Ontario workplaces.

Peter Boyle (613) 548-9215
Debbie Scrivens (613) 384-9000