Although we cannot gather in the same way this year due to COVID-19 safety measures, tomorrow we will commemorate injured workers killed, injured or made ill on the job. A report released today, 2020 Report on Work Fatality and Injury Rates in Canada, highlights the fact that shocking as the numbers are, due to under-reporting, they are in reality many times higher.
With so many frontline workers risking their lives to keep Ontario running during COVID-19, and the WSIB refusing to automatically cover those who gets sick at work, it is more important than ever to unite our voices with those organizing Day of Mourning Events.
Here are a few events that we know will have speeches from Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups (ONIWG) members:
- 10:00 a.m: Peel Region Labour Council – Broadcast live on their Facebook page or join the Zoom meeting.
- 11a.m. -1:00 p.m.: Labour Council for Toronto and York Region (York at 11:00 a.m.; Toronto 12:00 a.m.) – Video broadcast live on their Facebook page or on their YouTube channel.
For a list of events across the province that you can join virtually see Workers’ Health & Safety Centre’s list for April 28, 2020.
In addition to online events, some injured workers groups suggest that at sunset people put a candle or flashlight in the windows to help commemorate those lost or injured.
- WSIB. COVID-19 related claims statistics (updated weekly)
- WHSC News (Apr. 27, 2020) Unmasking the truth: the need for precautionary measures – a Day of Mourning message.
- Guelph Politico (Apr. 26, 2020). Like everything else, the national Day of Mourning is going digital.
- United Steelworkers. (Apr. 23, 2020). Day of Mourning 2020 – video (with Mike Danbrook playing “Working Man”)
- Windsor Star (Apr. 21, 2020). Day of Mourning takes on virtual commemoration.
- Cornwall Standard-Freeholder (April 17, 2020). Health-care workers across Canada held a minute of silence Friday.