Workers and allies gathered at Thornton Park in Vancouver on Sunday, holding a Day of Mourning Rally honouring those who lost their lives in the workplace and demanding safer working conditions.
“We feel that ultimately workers need to organize themselves to make the changes that we see fit,” said Justin Solyom, lead organizer of the event.
“Conditions are not getting better, workers are still getting injured, and the system is stacked against us,” said Skadi Green, member of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
The Day of Mourning is typically commemorated as a joint event hosted by the BC Federation of Labour, the Business Council of B.C., and WorkSafeBC at Jack Poole Plaza.
But starting last year, this alternative rally began as a form of protest.
“They seem more interested in standing side by side with the same bosses and governments whose policy and attitude result in our injuries and deaths,” argued Green.
Those attending also called for stronger enforcement and proper penalties.
“When we are injured or killed on the job, there should be consequences for people who put us in those situations, and those are our employers,” explained Che Baines, co-chair of Coast/VRC Local Hospital & Employees Union.
“Penalties for workers being injured and killed on the job need to increase, which is why we say bosses need to be behind bars for allowing their workers to be injured and killed on the job,” Solyom added.
CityNews reached out to the Business Council of BC and WorkSafeBC for a statement responding to the calls made, but they did not get back to us in time for the broadcast deadline.
However, the BC Federation of Labour provided a statement.
“This year’s provincial commemoration will be worker-led, with BCFED hosting the ceremony. And it is moving from Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver to the grounds of the B.C. Legislature, to underline to decision-makers how urgently we need change.”
That ceremony will be held on Tuesday in Victoria.
“I hope that moving forward today we can keep coming together, getting organized and fighting for working class power,” said Noa Sison, a representative of Bayan BC.