At 8am today, to mark the National Day of Mourning, Patti Price, President of CUPE Local 1091, raised the CUPE Day of Mourning flag in front of the Delta School Board Administration Building. In honour of those who lost their lives in the recent tragedy in Nova Scotia, the flag is at half-mast.
Ms. Price provided the following written submission regarding the National Day of Mourning at the April 21 Board meeting:
“Thank you once again for the opportunity to present information to you on the April 28th National Day of Mourning.
The National Day of Mourning is observed in Canada each year on April 28th. This was originally started by the Canadian Union of Public Employees in 1984 and was known as Workers’ Memorial Day. The Canadian Labour Congress then declared it as an annual day of remembrance in 1985 and in December 1990 this day became a national observance with the passing of the Workers’ Mourning Day Act. On April 28, 1991 it became officially known as The National Day of Mourning for persons killed or injured in the workplace. The date itself – April 28th – was chosen because on that day in 1914 the Workers’ Compensation Act received its third reading in Parliament.
The April 28th Day of Mourning honors those who have been injured or killed in the workplace and it is a renewal of our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace, and to prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths.
This year more than ever, as we globally fight the Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic, we have become painfully aware of the risks that our frontline workers are taking to keep the population safe, healthy and alive. Our doctors and nurses; our health care support workers and cleaners; our grocery and drugstore clerks and many others. Our own school district EA’s are providing daycare to the children of front line workers so they can continue to provide the services our society needs and our custodial staff are working diligently to keep our schools and worksites clean and safe for the staff that work in those buildings and who keep our district running smoothly.
We must also remember those who have already lost their lives, not only to this pandemic, but also to all the regular workplace accidents that have occurred over the past year. We are all in this together – for health, safety and the ability to return home each day to our loved ones even though we may face danger and adversity.
CUPE Local 1091 respectfully requests that the Delta School District once again declares April 28th as a Day of Mourning in our workplaces and gives permission to raise the CUPE Day of Mourning flag in front of the School Board Administration Building on Tuesday, April 28th. In keeping with the current social distancing requirements, we ask that you join us from a safe distance as we raise the flagpole at 8am on April 28th.”