Message from W. Laird Cronk, BCFED President
Dear Friends,
I wanted to let you know about the plans for this year's commemoration of the National Day of Mourning on April 28.
As you know, the National Day of Mourning honours the memory of workers who have been killed, injured, or suffered illness as a result of their work. This is one of the most sacred days on our calendar.
It causes all of us real pain to know we can't gather in person this year because of the pandemic – which is itself a reminder of the dangers facing working people. But this date is too important for us to allow it to go unmarked.
So once again we are co-sponsoring the Day of Mourning along with the WCB, the Business Council of BC and the Vancouver and District Labour Council. This year, instead of a face-to-face event, we will be observing the day with a virtual ceremony which begins at 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.
Please join us then at https://DayOfMourning.bc.ca. And encourage friends, colleagues and members to come too.
In addition, I ask that you consider changing your Facebook profile picture on April 28 to mark the Day of Mourning. The images you need to do this, along with simple instructions, can be accessed on the BC Federation of Labour website.
We may be separated by this pandemic, but we can still be together in grief, condolence and solidarity.
We'll mourn the dead and fight for the living. That means we recommit to our efforts to protect the safety and well-being of working people by:
- Improving workplace health and safety;
- Rigorously enforcing occupational health and safety regulations – and holding those who violate them to account;
- Preserving the dignity of the thousands of workers who suffer injury or illness; and
- Ensuring full compensation to those who have been hurt at work.
Together, we'll do all we can to reach the goal I know you and I share: a province where every worker can go home safe and healthy at the end of every workday.
In solidarity,
W. LAIRD CRONK
President
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