Tag Archives: Jour de deuil national

National Day of Mourning — April 28

photo of candle with the words 'national day of mourning'

This April 28, on the National Day of Mourning, we will join over 100 countries in remembering those who have lost their lives due to work-related causes.

Every year, people across the globe die as a result of unsafe working conditions, insufficient health and safety measures and protection equipment, and poorly implemented policies. All too often, these deaths could have been avoided. In Canada, hundreds of workplace fatalities are still recorded. The last few years have also highlighted the importance of comprehensive health and safety measures and proper access to protective equipment.

Despite important improvements to workplace safety standards over the last century — thanks in large part to continued union efforts — much work remains to be done to ensure that all workers are adequately protected against preventable work-related accidents or illness.

The Customs and Immigration Union attaches great importance to its members’ health and safety, and we will continue to do everything we can to protect them from harm. Given the dangers that so many workers are still confronting today, let us all observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. on the National Day of Mourning.

National Day of Mourning: Work shouldn’t hurt

On National Day of Mourning April 28, PSAC recognizes the exemplary work of PSAC members who saved countless lives defending the health and safety of workers during the pandemic.

From mandating employers to develop COVID-19 protocols, administrative controls and ventilation and sanitation policies, unions and activists have played a key role in keeping workers safe. Their work has been possible because of the strong health and safety legislation, compliance and enforcement that unions have fought for to protect workers in Canada and around the world.

Unfortunately, not all workers have access to these same protections, and we have a responsibility to ensure all workers have a right to a safe workplace.

In Canada, many workers, especially gig economy workers, do not have basic health and safety protections like the right to know about hazards in the workplace. Other workers, including long-term care, gig and frontline workers, have insufficient sick days and limited health and safety protections. In the 2022 budget, the federal government has committed to providing 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers, but these benefits need to be extended to all workers.

That’s why PSAC and other unions are pushing governments to make occupational health and safety a fundamental right at work through the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO). Here, we organize together under the same vision: work shouldn’t hurt.

Both in Canada and around the world, millions of people continue to die because of their work. The most recent data from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) shows that in 2019, 925 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada. That’s on top of the 271,806 accepted claims for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease.

Canada must be a leader and act to ratify and implement core ILO health and safety conventions that guarantee occupational health rights and protections for all workers, as well as protections against violence and harassment.

PSAC also recommits to hold all employers to the highest standards of health and safety in the workplace, so all workers can go home safely at the end the day.

You can observe the National Day of Mourning by:

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

April 28 is the National Day of Mourning

photo of candle with the words 'national day of mourning'

Once again, on April 28, we will join over 100 countries in remembering those who lost their lives due to work-related causes. In the last year, workers around the world have had to contend with additional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, adding to the number of workplaces facing critical work and safety issues.

The Customs and Immigration Union attaches great importance to its members’ health and safety and we will continue to do everything we can to protect them from harm.

Given the dangers that so many workers are confronting, let us all observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. on the National Day of Mourning.

Read the CIU National Office Memorandum regarding the National Day of Mourning.

April 28 is the National Day of Mourning

photo of candle with the words 'national day of mourning'

Once again, on April 28, we will join over 100 countries in remembering those who lost their lives due to work-related causes. This year, workers around the world are facing additional and considerable challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Customs and Immigration Union attaches great importance to its members’ health and safety and we will continue to do everything we can to protect them from harm.

Given the dangers that so many workers are confronting, let us all observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. on the National Day of Mourning. We also invite all members to (virtually) attend local events organized to commemorate the Day.

Read the CIU National Office Memorandum regarding the National Day of Mourning.

National Day of Mourning

Image of candle to symbolize mourning, for the April 28 Day of Mourning

April 28 is the National Day of Mourning. On that day, we will once again remember those who lost their lives due to work-related causes. Since 1995 and in Canada alone, some 20,000 workplace deaths have occurred. Today, the National Day of Mourning is recognized in over 100 countries around the world.

CIU attaches great importance to its members’ health and safety. We must do all we can to prevent needless suffering as a result of hazardous and unhealthy working conditions and continue to promote safe working conditions for our members.

On April 28, we encourage all Customs and Immigration Union members to observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m., and to attend local events organized to commemorate the Day.