USW Canada: District 3 - Western Canada

21 JULY 2009 – Faller Safety Study says Contracting Out Causes Problems with Hazard Assessment and Supervision
BURNABY, BC – A study conducted by a WorkSafe BC internal investigation team, which examined 32 faller deaths and serious injuries has confirmed that contracting out has made faller supervision and risk assessment more difficult. In 19 of the 32 incidents examined between 2000-2008, there was insufficient hazard assessments conducted. In half the incidences, supervisors were working fallers themselves and 11 supervisors did not have a clear grip on safe falling methods. The study said that the use of many small contractors of 5 or less workers “make quality control of faller and supervisory work more difficult.” ...... more

5 JUNE 2009 – Five David Ellis Scholarships to be Offered in District 3 for 2009
BURNABY, BC – The United Steelworkers David Ellis Scholarship award is available to sons, daughters or grandchildren of Steelworker members. This year USW Western Canada Director Stephen Hunt says District 3 is offering five $500 scholarships. Deadline for postmarking or e-mailing submissions is June 26, 2009. As well as entering an essay, the district encourages students to take the option of creating a 3-5 minute health and safety video. David Ellis Scholarship Awards are given out each year to commemorate Ellis who was killed on his second day of work at the age of 18. On average, 60 Canadian youth are killed on the job each year....... more

28 MAY 2009 – Asbestos The Silent Killer: Hard-Hitting USW Local 480 Video Examines Human Costs of Industrial Diseases and Calls for Reinstatement of Disability Pensions
TRAIL, BC – United Steelworkers Local 480, which represents workers at the Teck smelter here, has released a final version of its hard-hitting video documentary “Asbestos: The Silent Killer.” The 26 minute video, filmed in 2007-08, examines the devastating human impacts of BC’s number one occupational killer: asbestos caused industrial diseases. The documentary interviews victims and family members devastated by the human effects of cancerous lung diseases. NDP MLAs Chuck Puchmayr and Katrine Conroy join union officials, family members and a medical doctor in calling for the reinstatement of WCB disability pensions eliminated by BC Premier Gordon Campbell in 2002. USW District 3 Director Stephen Hunt says the video should help the BC Government sit up and take notice that asbestos deaths have “become an epidemic in British Columbia.”...... more

27 APRIL 2009 – Day of Mourning Services Set for Ten BC Locations
BURNABY, BC - There are ten locations on the BC Coast and Interior for the April 28 Day of Mourning events tomorrow. The events, principally coordinated by the BC Federation of Labour and eleven local labour councils, from Abbotsford to Trail to Prince George, will commence at varying times. The largest event will be held in downtown Vancouver where a procession of symbolic coffins will leave the Art Gallery at 7:00 am. Please click on PDF to download official BC Federation of Labour locations and times of respective events. Day of Mourning events are attended by surviving family members and friends of fatality and injury victims, workers, employers, provincial and local politicians, government agency employees, and others to pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price....... more

2 FEBRUARY 2009 – Steelworkers and NDP Join to Publicize Plight of Long-Term Care Residents and Short Staffing of Health Care Workers
EDMONTON, AB – United Steelworkers Local 1-207 and the provincial NDP recently held a well-attended press conference in the press room of the Alberta legislative buildings here to publicize the plight of long-term residents and the short staffing of health care workers in long term residential care homes. Edmonton-Strathcona MLA Rachel Notley and local union representative Ray White addressed workers’ serious concerns that the province’s seniors are not being well looked after. The media was provided copies of 300 “working short forms” completed by USW members between January – September 2008. The forms, with the names and locations blotted out for privacy reasons, detailed the neglect of residents due to short staffing of both public and private facilities....... more

30 JANUARY 2009 – Survey on Physically Demanding and Dangerous Work in Forest Industry Reveals Clear Trends
VANCOUVER, BC – As part of the 2009 SAFER (Safety Advisory Foundation for Education and Research) conference two highly-respected safety experts gave presentations on parts of a report they put together on the results of a joint survey for Physically Demanding and Dangerous Occupations in the Coastal logging sector. The survey, based on a questionnaire with 37 topic areas, was conducted by former USW Local 1-80 faller Al Lundgren, a past local union safety council member, and Doug Mosher a Registered Professional Forester with 30 industry years and a past co-chairperson of SAFER. The questionnaire, the by-product of a Letter of Understanding between the USW and Forest Industrial Relations, was completed by 101 forest workers in the summer of 2008, almost a year after the bitter 13 week strike of 2007 which saw over 6,000 Coastal workers walk out largely over the issue of alternate shift scheduling and its impacts on physically demanding and dangerous work....... more

22 JANUARY 2009 – District 3 Director tells SAFER Conference that ‘Political Expediency’ got in the way of Safety in BC Forest Industry
VANCOUVER, BC – At the 2009 conference of the Safety Advisory Foundation for Education and Research (SAFER), Steelworkers District 3 Director Stephen Hunt recounted the union’s efforts to stop the killing in the BC Forest Industry since 2005. Participating on a panel on industry safety, Hunt also outlined several steps that must be taken to stop needless death and injuries. Hunt said that over two dozen deaths by the middle of 2005 sparked the USW to call for emergency meetings with both then Minister of Labour Mike de Jong and then Forests Minster Rich Coleman. But the union could not get a meeting for months. Hunt told the audience that a wave of government deregulation hit the industry as the “lines of responsibility blurred.” ...... more

30 JULY 2008 – Inspiring Wellness Program a Hit with Teck Cominco Local Unions’ Members
TRAIL, BC – It has been the second consecutive year for a new program designed to improve the overall fitness and health of workers and their family members at the Teck Cominco smelter in Trail and it has been a huge hit in this West Kootenay community. The Teck Cominco – USW Inspiring Wellness Program is an effort by the union, the company, and the community to assist workers and their families to achieve better overall fitness. In mid-June the program held an open house “Health Checks” event on the smelter site with over 275 persons in attendance....... more

29 MAY 2008 – Students Have Until End of June to Make Submissions for 2008 David Ellis Scholarship
BURNABY, BC – District 3 Director Stephen Hunt reminds all local unions in Western Canada and the Territories that children and grandchildren of Steelworker members attending high school have until the end of June to submit an essay or video for a chance to win the David Ellis Scholarship.The David Ellis Scholarship was set up in honor of the 18-year old student who lost his life in a workplace accident. David died in an injury sustained while operating a dough making machine in a bakery on only his second day of work. ...... more

27 MAY 2008 - Coastal Loggers Have One More Month for Questionnaire on Physically Demanding and Dangerous Occupations
BURNABY, BC – BC Coastal Loggers still have one month to fill out a detailed questionnaire regarding Alternate Shift Scheduling and Physically Demanding and Dangerous Occupations. The nine-page questionnaire is available through local unions, FIR (Forest Industrial Relations) and the USW’s District 3 and Wood Council’s websites. “We are encouraging all of our members in woodlands operations to fill out these forms as soon as possible and hand them before June 27, 2008,” says District Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator Ron Corbeil. “It will provide us with valuable information on what our members are experiencing in their jobs on alternate shifts.”...... more

6 MAY 2008 – Ainsworth’s Day of Mourning Marks a Recommitment to Safety
LILLOOET, BC - Every year on April 28, Ainsworth employers and employees take time out of their work day to honour those workers who have died while performing their job duties. The purpose of taking this time is twofold: while deceased workers are remembered, the living ones are reminded of the importance of safety in the workplace. The message of taking the time and steps necessary to ensure the workplace is safe for everyone is reinforced with this annual remembrance of workers. ...... more

2 MAY 2008 – Potash Mining Local President Addresses Day of Mourning Ceremony
SASKATOON, SK – USW Local 7552 President Kelly Reynolds, a member of the District 3 Health, Safety and Environment Committee and a long-time OH&S activist gave a special presentation at this year’s Day of Mourning celebration. Brother Kelly, who is also co-chair of the joint safety committee gave an emotional speech on an incident which seriously injured a fellow worker who was a new employee at the Agrium Potash underground near here....... more

30 APRIL 2008 – Day of Mourning Service Commemorated Service of Steelworker Activist John Wilson
MERRITT, BC – On Monday United Steelworkers members in the Nicola Valley held a special Day of Mourning ceremony to commemorate the life and contributions of the late John Wilson a member of USW Local 7619 who died in a tragic and preventable accident on February 28 of this year. Brother Wilson, who is survived by his wife Leanne and daughters Tracey and Tammy died when the excavator he was driving tipped into a pool of water and mud. He could not escape and drowned....... more

30 APRIL 2008 – Steelworkers join Manitoba Day of Mourning Event in Province's Capital
WINNIPEG, MB – United Steelworkers members in this capital city joined labour allies and the youth of Manitoba to commemorate this year’s Day of Mourning. In 2007 there were 42 Manitobans killed in workplace accidents, far above the average of some 25 who have been killed each year over the past 25 years. Joined by over 150 high school youth from Sisler High School and St. Norbert Collegiate, USW members and others marched from the Union Centre on Broadway to the Manitoba legislature to hold a special media event. ...... more

4 FEBRUARY 2008 – Steelworkers Laud New OH&S Regulations to Protect Service Industry and Late-Night Workers
BURNABY, BC – Since Friday motorists across BC will have noticed that they’ve had to prepay their gas at service stations. Although they have a 30-day period to comply, many gas stations have already converted to a new prepayment system in order to be in compliance with what is popularly known as Grant’s Law. Named after the late Grant De Patie, a 24 year-old gas station attendant who was pinned beneath a car and dragged for over 7 kilometres on March 8, 2005, Grant's Law actually refers to new Occupational Health and Safety regulations designed to prevent gas-and-dash incidents from happening. De Patie, who was working at an Esso station in Maple Ridge, ran out to get the license number of a gas-and-dash driver when he was hit and dragged to his death....... more

8 JANUARY 2008 - Memorial Service Marks Twenty-Seventh Anniversary of Carpenters’ Death and Calls for Protection of Construction Workers
VANCOUVER, BC – On Monday workers, colleagues, some spouses and family members of four carpenters killed on January 7, 1981 gathered in Vancouver to commemorate one of the worst accidents in modern times. The workers plunged 36 stories to their death when a fly form, used for pouring concrete, broke off from the top of the Bentall IV tower. Killed were 49 year-old Gunther Couvreux, 34 year-old Donald W. Davis, 46 year-old Yrjo Mitunen and 21 year-old Brian Stevenson. The four men’s deaths were commemorated with symbolic coffins and hardhats. Speaking at the brief ceremony were BC and Yukon Building Trades Council Executive Director Wayne Peppard, BC Federation of Labour Secretary Treasurer Angie Schira and WorkSafe BC regional director for construction Al Johnson....... more

12 DECEMBER 2007 - WorkSafe BC releases real-life videos on YouTube
BURNABY, BC – WORKSAFE BC has posted several of its accident investigation videos on YouTube, begging in late November. The videos, which portray real incidents that have resulted in fatality and serious injury, have been well received by the public. One particular video, illustrating the death of a timber faller struck by a fir snag on Coastal terrain, was viewed over 8,300 times. The series of videos, which feature narratives by actual WorkSafe BC inspection officers, cover a broad range of occupations, from forest workers to a wood chipper operator, an industrial pressure washer, a truck driver and tank cleaner. ...... more

8 NOVEMBER 2007 - Steelworker Member Lucky to be Alive After Logging Truck Goes Over Bank
DUNCAN, BC – Last Friday USW Local 1-80 member Tony Raggs, the owner/operator of Eagle Trucking, narrowly and miraculously escaped losing his life after the highway logging truck he was driving went off a road and over a bank about 20 kilometers south of Mesachie Lake, near here. Brother Raggs, who was sub-contracted to Rich Bennett Trucking, which wa, in turn contracting for Munn’s Lumber HBO Division, which was contracting for TimberWest, was hauling with 8 foot bunks carrying over 40 cubic meters of logs. ...... more

7 NOVEMBER 2007 - Four students awarded David Ellis Scholarships in District 3
BURNABY, BC – This fall, four children of USW members in District 3 have had their education costs lightened after being declared winners of the David Ellis Scholarship contest. The winners were Rachel Misquitta from Edmonton ($1,000) while $500 winners were Jeff Profili from Castlegar, BC; Tenielle Koob from Saskatoon and Ann-Alise Keeping from Lantzville on Vancouver Island. All are continuing with their post-secondary education....... more

16 AUGUST 2007 – BC Wood Council Locals Share Coveted AQ Evans Award for Campaign to ‘Stop the Killing’ in Forest Industry
BURNABY, BC – United Steelworkers Wood Council local unions have been honoured and distinguished by the International Union for their involvement in outstanding accomplishments in the field of health and safety. On August 9 at the USW International Conference Health, Safety and the Environment conference in Dearborn, Michigan, the ten local unions were issued the prestigious AQ Evans Award in recognition of their participation in a campaign which included the “skilled use of the media, constant pressure on public officials and aggressive collective bargaining.” ...... more

1 MAY 2007 – Manitoba Membership Commemorates Day of Mourning throughout Province
MINITONAS/THOMPSON/WINNIPEG, MB – Steelworker members throughout this province observed April 28, Labour’s Day of Mourning this past weekend. Through event in various locations, USW members honoured those that have paid the ultimate price. ...... more

30 APRIL 2007 – Time to ‘Get Angry’ about Worker Fatalities says USW Director
KIMBERLEY, BC – Speaking to an audience of over 120 trade unionists and community supporters in East Kootenay town, Steelworkers Western Canada Director Steve Hunt delivered an emotional message on April 28, Labour’s Day of Mourning. ...... more

2 APRIL 2007 – Steelworkers Critique of Forest Industry Safety for Auditor General’s Review Sparks Industry Reaction
BURNABY, BC – Last week a Steelworkers-produced submission to the BC Auditor-General’s review of safety initiatives drew media attention, including criticisms from industry spokespersons. ...... more

20 MARCH 2007 - District 3 Delegates build local union activism at Edmonton Safety Conference
EDMONTON, AB – Eighty-seven delegates from local unions across the district were here on March 10 and 11 to take part in the District 3 Health, Safety and Environment Conference. The theme of the Conference, Building Local Union Activism, took place at the Holiday Inn Convention Centre. ...... more

20 MARCH 2007 - Bargaining Health and Safety Language a priority notes District Director
EDMONTON, AB – When District 3 Director Steve Hunt spoke to delegates at this year’s health and safety conference held here earlier this month, he posed a series of questions: “Do we in the union accept minimum employment standards when it comes to hours of work?” he asked. ...... more

27 JUNE 2006 – Rank and File Steelworkers Talk about their 'Stop the Killing' Lobby to Victoria
VICTORIA, BC – Five Steelworkers' District 3 rank and file lobbyists all agree that that their March, 2006 participation in the union's "Stop the Killing" lobby of provincial politicians here was a valuable experience, providing a revealing look at their province's political system itself....... more

20 JULY 2006 – BC Forest Minister Agrees to "Independent Review" - Steelworkers Wait to Examine Terms of Reference
BURNABY, BC – The United Steelworkers District 3 is waiting to examine the terms of reference for an upcoming "independent review" of provincial government policies and regulations as they relate to occupational health and safety in the BC forest industry. ...... more

12 MAY 2006 – Forest Industry's 'Dirty Little Secret' revealed during Stop the Killing Town Hall Meetings
"What we are doing here today is revealing BC's dirty little secret," said United Steelworkers District 3 Director Steve Hunt as he kicked off the meeting in Port McNeill, on Thursday evening. "We need all the support we can get from our members, their families and communities to keep pressure on the companies and the government to stop the killing in the BC forest sector." ...... more

10 MAY 2006 – South Island Town Hall Highlights Impact of Forest Fatalities on Communities
DUNCAN, BC - "People really need to understand the impact that a death in the forests has on the whole community," said Brother Dave Halme, a local BCTF representative and vice-president of the Nanaimo District Labour Council, kicking-off the Duncan Stop the Killing town hall meeting....... more

9 MAY 2006 – Family Victims of Forest Fatalities Give Impact Statements at Stop the Killing Town Hall
(posted 9 May 2006) PORT ALBERNI, BC – About 100 people gathered in the USW Local 1-85 hall on May 8 for the first in a series of town hall meetings that are part of the ongoing Stop the Killing campaign. The union began the campaign in mid-2005, held a Forest Fatality Summit in December 2005 and conducted a two-week lobby in Victoria in March 2006. The community meetings are the next step in the campaign...... more

28 APRIL 2006 – Stop the Killing Town Hall Meetings Set for Vancouver Island
Four Vancouver Island locals of the United Steelworkers will host Town Hall Meetings to aire the membership's and the pubic's growing concerns over deteriorating safety and health conditions in the BC forest industry. ...... more

28 JANUARY 2006 - Steelworkers Political Action - Federal Election 2006
District 3 members formed an integral part of a national Steelworkers Vote campaign leading up the January 23, 2006 federal election. The union focussed its efforts at promoting voter awareness and turnout at key ridings across the country where strong New Democratic Party candidates challenged other candidates. Election results brought the NDP more seats than in the 2004 federal election with 29 in the House of Commons. ...... more