Each April 28, workers and advocates gather at memorials around the world to mourn those killed or injured on the job.
Flags will be at half-staff on federal government buildings, and many workers will wear black armbands, pins, or ribbons at work. Some observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. We do this to remember those we’ve lost, and to reaffirm our commitment to health and safety in the workplace. Every worker should go home safe at the end of the shift. Our activists’ health and safety work is not just for the good of members, but also for our families, friends, and communities.
How to Find a Nearby Memorial Service
A labour federation or district council in your local community may be organizing a memorial service.
The Canadian Labour Congress publishes a directory of events here.
“Mourn the dead, fight like hell for the living.”
Mother Jones, labour organizer
The “fight for the living” part of that quotation underpins the health and safety work that our members do every day. Health and Safety is a core part of our activists’ work. Mourning those we’ve lost and working to avoid future preventable injuries and death are, after all, two sides of the same coin.
