National Day of Mourning

Greetings:

The Day of Mourning is an annual day of remembrance for workers who have been killed and injured on the job; the aim of this day is to publicly renew the commitment to fight for the safety of the living as well as mourn for those workers who have died.

The National Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, eight years after the day of remembrance was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress. The Day of Mourning has since spread to about 80 countries around the world and has been adopted by the AFL-CIO and the International Confederation of Free Trade. The IBEW was originally formed by workers who wanted to improve safety in their workplace.  Our union was formed on the need for safety at a time when 1 in 2 electrical workers were being killed on the job every day; even our own founding President Henry Miller died from a workplace incident. Today, safety continues to be a main focus of our Local Unions mandate; safety is paramount to the IBEW!

On April 28, we remember those who lost their lives, as well as the thousands of others injured; because for them, life will never be the same.  So, on Friday, April 28th, mark the ’Day’ by flying flags at half-mast; wear ribbons or black armbands, or whatever your traditional vigils/ceremonies are, and observe a moment of silence at 11am, as we remember those killed or injured at work and recommit to the challenge of preventing, reducing and eliminating workplace deaths and injuries.

We must mourn the dead, but we must also fight for the living!!

In solidarity,

Russ Shewchuk

International Vice President

IBEW - 1st District Office

300-1450 Meyerside Dr.

Mississauga, ON  L5T 2N5

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Ph: 905-564-5441

Fax: 905-564-8114

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ibewcanada.ca