April 28: National Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job
Posted
April 25, 2012
All workers and their families are invited to pay tribute to workers who have been injured or killed on the job, or stricken with occupational disease.
HSA President Reid Johnson said injury and fatality rates in BC are still far too high. "On the Day of Mourning, we honour workers who have died -- and we recommit to the fight to improve workplace health and safety," he said.
Earlier this month, at HSAs annual convention, Johnson presented an occupational health and safety award commemorating a union member killed on the job.
"HSA member David Bland was a vocational counsellor who worked at Richmond Mental Health Services," he said. "At the end of an otherwise ordinary workday in January of 2005, as David left his workplace and walked to his car, a former client was waiting in the parking lot -- and murdered David.
"The events of that day sent shockwaves throughout health care and social services, and exposed the reality of our work," he said. "Ever since, in David's memory, the union has presented an award to honour the important work that union members and stewards undertake as advocates for their colleagues in ensuring we all work in a safe environment," he said.
The union awarded this years David Bland Memorial Award to the team of Registered Psychiatric Nurses at Royal Jubilee Hospitals psychiatric intensive care unit. They were collectively recognized for their courage in ensuring that the newly-built facility would be safe for patients and staff.
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