International Workers’ Day began with workers demanding fair hours, safer workplaces, and dignity. Those efforts led to real change. Many of the standards people rely on today exist because workers organized and pushed for them.

That progress matters. But it is not permanent.

Work continues to evolve, and so do the challenges that come with it. For some, understanding their rights or knowing where to turn is not always clear. Often, situations begin with uncertainty.

This is where the labour movement continues its work.

Today, it is not only about addressing issues, but also about preventing them. It is about helping workers understand their rights early, improving access to information, and supporting fair and respectful workplaces.

In the Yukon, this focus on prevention is essential. When workers have clear information and guidance, they are better prepared, and workplaces are stronger as a result.

May Day reminds us of what has been achieved, and of the responsibility to continue that work.

The work continues.

In Solidarity

Ever Ledoux

The post May Day: What Has Changed, and What Still Matters appeared first on Yukon Federation of Labour.

After a few years of no public gatherings due to the pandemic, 2023 was the first Ceremony held in-person at the Yukon Workers Memorial in Shipyards Park, Whitehorse, Yukon. The sights and sounds that day included bagpipes, drumming, candles, flowers, and a distinct blended Honour Guard with representation from IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters), RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), and KDFN (Kwanlin Dun First Nation) Corrections Officer.

During the ceremony, pledges are made from five distinct sectors of our society, each with a responsibility to keep workers safe. The monument, unveiled in 2016, stands with five central pillars representing workers, employers, the community, governance and health-care providers. As part of the 2023 Day of Mourning Ceremony, powerful words were shared by Jorgen Ponsioen, Secretary of Local 2217 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, which we are sharing here with you today, in honour of the service of front line responders.

“The Day of Mourning is a solemn occasion that is observed annually on April 28th. It is a day to remember and honour all workers who have lost their lives, suffered injuries or illnesses on the job. For Whitehorse Fire Fighters, the Day of Mourning holds special significance as it serves as a reminder of the dangers firefighters face while carrying out
their duties. Firefighting is a hazardous occupation that involves working in dangerous and unpredictable situations. Whitehorse Fire Fighters risk their lives to protect the public and property, often putting themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety of others. Unfortunately, this comes at a price, and fire fighters are also susceptible to occupational cancers and illnesses directly related to fire fighting.

We have some of our own members that have fought and lost battles with cancers, as well as several currently engaged in ongoing struggles with other job related health struggles that they are losing. The Whitehorse Fire Fighters along with all first responders throughout the Yukon use this opportunity to honour the memory of all workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to raise awareness of the risks faced every day.

The Day of Mourning also serves as a reminder of the importance of workplace safety and we appreciate the seriousness our employer takes with our safety. We are committed to working together and will always advocate for safer working conditions for all. By honouring the memory of those who have lost their lives, the Whitehorse Fire Fighters hope to inspire future generations of first responders to continue their mission of protecting and serving the public while prioritizing their own safety. On behalf of first responders throughout the Yukon, I, Jorgen Ponsioen, Secretary of Local 2217 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, commit to making our workplaces safe. (light the candle).”

The post Day of Mourning perspective on the hazards of fire fighting. appeared first on Yukon Federation of Labour.

By: Yukon Federation of Labour President Teresa Acheson

Each year, on April 28, workers and their families come together at National Day of Mourning ceremonies across Canada, to mourn workers lost to workplace illness and injury.

And each year, Canada records roughly 1,000 workplace deaths. There were over 277,000 accepted claims for time off due to workplace illness or injury in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available.

Even with our revised occupational health and safety legislation, employer policies, and workplace heath and safety committees, the stats still show that every year, the number of workers injured, made sick or killed at work increases. For all the advancements we’ve made around workplace safety in Canada, somewhere, something is falling short.

Here in the Yukon Territory, we lost 1 worker in the last year and there were 450 workers with accepted claims for time lost.

All workers deserve to feel safe at work and to leave safely at the end of their workday.  We need to all come to a place where we find any workplace illness, injury, or death as truly unacceptable.  With more mining operations opening in Yukon, our attention to worker safety needs to branch out even more beyond jobs in urban areas, communities, or farms.  The tragedy on November 24, 2022, at the Air North Cargo office is an example of a tragedy at a workplace.  For many it was an event read about in a news article that one day.  For those workers, it is an event that will stay with them each time they return to the office.  And the impact reverberates in their families and communities.  They need our support and care. 

We know that workplace incident investigations are not all treated with the necessary urgency or importance. In my experience as a worker and union rep, I had a member who reported being assaulted on a job site by another person.  This event involved multiple employers and the member’s employer response was “just don’t return to that job site…we can move you somewhere else” and then proceeded months later with a partial investigation.  Canada’s unions have long called for those responsible for negligence or wrongdoing to be held accountable through full investigation into workplace injuries and deaths.

Canada’s unions also want to ensure that workers are supported and feel empowered to stand up for their health and safety rights at work. We want to ensure that workers are equipped with the proper knowledge and tools to safely do their jobs and to call out infractions when they see them. The most powerful tool to make work safer is a health and safety committee with educated and empowered workers protecting their fellow workers and holding employers to account.  Unions want to ensure that workers can walk in the authority and respect given to them as health and safety committee members.

Workers should never be in a position where they feel the need to perform unsafe work or risk losing their jobs. Moreover, they should never be afraid to report unsafe work.  Occupational health and safety is a collective responsibility and Canada’s unions are committed to standing behind workers in knowing their rights, using the tools and defending our hard fought health and safety wins.

We will continue to educate and empower workers to stand up to employers who would risk workplace safety to cut corners or save a few dollars. We will honour those who died or were injured at work by fighting for the living and defending worker rights. 

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