Time to discuss ‘totally preventable deaths’

Ten National Day of Mourning ceremonies held across Niagara to talk about worker safety

“Safety is No. 1” is what many companies preach, but too often workplace deaths and injuries are a result of employers taking shortcuts and hiring untrained workers, says Bob Mccallion.

The former president of Welland District Labour Council was one of about 20 people who attended a National Day of Mourning ceremony in Fort Erie on Thursday.

Once a chief steward at Stelpipe in Welland, Mccallion left his post at the labour council about 10 years ago but remains an active health and safety advocate for workers in local industry.

“As far as I’m concerned, the struggle is not over,” he said in an interview at a monument he helped get erected in 1998 outside town hall.

“The economy is based on exploitation,” Mccallion said, while also referring to the “gig economy” being an area of concern — work carried out by contractors for onetime tasks.

He encouraged everyone in attendance to gather around the monument to officially rededicate it to all the families and friends of people who have been injured, died or suffered illness due to workplace conditions.

There were 10 ceremonies held across Niagara on Thursday.

Sue Hotte, treasurer of Niagara Region Labour Council, said this is the third year that people who have worked through the COVID-19 pandemic are top of mind on the Day of Mourning.

“Too many essential workers were placed in dangerous circumstances by employers who were not following basic health and safety principles and allowed the virus to spread,” she said, adding this led to “totally preventable deaths.”

She said the labour council is petitioning the provincial and federal governments to ensure everyone has “robust health and safety environments,” and to strengthen workplace regulations.

Industries must also make sure their teams are protected, she said.

“Employers must be accountable when their negligence causes death, harm or illness.”

Last fall, a worker at the St. Catharines General Motors plant was also killed.

Hotte also pointed to the Ministry of Labour investigating a worker being killed when he was hit by a forklift at a Stoney Creek steel company on Tuesday.

Curtis Appleyard, 44, of Windsor, died in November 2019 after he was crushed by a piece of concrete on the construction site of Grand Canal Retirement Residence in Welland.

Just weeks ago, Perth County Fabrication & Machining was fined $120,000 in that case after it pleaded guilty to a charge under the Occupational and Workplace Safety Act.

As far as I’m concerned, the struggle is not over. BOB MCCALLION WORKER ADVOCATE