Charlottetown:   April 28th has once again been proclaimed by the Premier of Prince Edward Island as the “Provincial Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace”.

“This is a very important day for the Canadian Union of Public Employees as  we are committed to take action for workers who have been killed or injured on the job”,  said CUPE PEI President  Lori MacKay.

“The Provincial Government and the City of Charlottetown will hold flag raising ceremonies to remember the workers that have been injured, made ill, or killed because they went to work to serve the public.”

“The Day of Mourning is an important reminder that workers are too frequently killed or injured in the workplace.  According to the Canadian Labour Congress, there has been a 29% increase in Canada’s workplace related deaths over the past 20 years”, said Betty Pryor, CUPE PEI Health and Safety Chair.

“It was CUPE’s national health and safety committee that, in 1984, first proposed the idea of a day to remember workers who are injured or killed on the job”, said MacKay.

“We are pleased that 30 years later, the flag that represents the Day of Mourning is being raised across the country to remember the workers who lost their lives or got injured at the workplace.”

“We must hold governments and employers accountable when it comes to the safety of the workers.  April 28th is the Day of Mourning, it’s a day that we pause and remember; but every other day of the year, we must continue to make sure that we have strong Health and safety laws to protect every workers and their family,” added MacKay.

“We hope more employers across the province will follow their footsteps and raise the Day of Mourning flag.  That simple gesture shows respect for the workers. It’s about making our workplace a safer and healthier place. ”

“CUPE is committed to work with governments and employers to prevent workplace injuries and deaths as neither should be a common occurrence in our society,” concluded Lori MacKay.

Flags raising ceremonies:

·         On Friday April 25th – CUPE PEI Representatives, Betty Pryor and Jason Woodbury will raise the CUPE Day of Mourning Flag with the Minister of Labour, Janice Sherry at Province House at 11:30 am.

·         CUPE will be participating in the PEI Federation of Labour 13th Annual Ceremony at Province House at 6pm

·         On April 28th – CUPE Day of Mourning Flags flown at the Charlottetown Office and Charlottetown City Hall