Health, Safety & the Environment News
The Body Count from Workplace Death Is Greater than Reported
Ottawa Citizen op-ed column by Ken Neumann and Steven Bittle: Day of Mourning must be catalyst for transformative change.
Day of Mourning 2018
This April 28th, the National Day of Mourning, our union must once again reflect on the continuing tragedy in workplaces.
District’s Incident Reporting System Tackles Chronic Problems
Like too many health care workers in Canada and the United States, health care members in District 6 struggle with short staffing, a problem that can quickly escalate into higher rates of workplace violence and patient injuries.
Rejection of Metron Appeal Welcomed, but Fight for Justice Continues: Steelworkers
USW calls on Ontario government to do more to apply Westray Law in every workplace fatality.
Steelworkers Arbitration Victory Ends Random Drug and Alcohol Testing At Teck’s Elk Valley Unionized Mines
The significant arbitration decision recognizes the importance of employee privacy rights and imposes a high bar on employers to justify random testing.
McIntyre Powder Miners Deserve More
New funding will help assess more miners but is only half of the amount OHCOW requested and existing claims for compensation won’t be reconsidered.
McIntyre Powder Miners Deserve More, Says Steelworkers
Miners were forced to inhale McIntyre Powder from the 1940s to the 1970s. Now, they’re suffering and they’re dying. So this funding to expand assessment is something. But it’s not enough.
WSIB Study Another Tactic to Avoid Compensation, Says Steelworkers' Director Marty Warren
"This is just another stalling tactic to avoid justice for workers who are suffering intolerable health problems." - Marty Warren
Fighter for Corporate Criminal Accountability Will Be Missed, Say Steelworkers
“I didn’t feel alone any more with the force of the USW fighting, not just for families who have lost their loved ones, but for the future of all workers who face unnecessary danger.” - Brian Fitzpatrick
USW District 6 Submission Re:Bill 127
25 Years After Westray – Families Remember
Twenty-five years after the Westray disaster, Allen and Debbie Martin tell the story of Allen's brother Glenn, who was tragically killed in the Nova Scotia mine explosion.
Vern Theriault Recalls Westray – CBC's The Current
On the 25th anniversary of Westray, former miner Vern Theriault and District 3 Director Stephen Hunt tell the story of the disaster and the USW's efforts to end workplace deaths.
United Steelworkers Announces Westray Scholarship
On the 25th anniversary of the Westray coal mine explosion that killed 26 men, the United Steelworkers (USW) announces the introduction of an annual scholarship of $2,500.
Alberta Government signs precedent setting agreement for Westray Enforcement
The Memorandum between the 10 police forces in Alberta and the provincial government defines the protocols for Notification, Investigation and Communication between department when there is a serious workplace incident.
Steelworkers, Family Groups to Hold Westray Anniversary Events on May 9
USW, family members, elected officials and other unions will commemorate the Westray tragedy and continue the campaign to enforce the law.
Long-awaited Federal Commitment on Enforcing Workplace Fatality Law a Welcome Move Forward, says Steelworkers
Today’s statement by the federal justice and labour ministers for better enforcement of the “Westray Law” is welcome news on the Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job.
Day of Mourning: Marty Warren's Letter
2017 marks 25 years since an entirely preventable explosion at the Westray Mine in Nova Scotia killed 26 men. Twenty-five years later we are still fighting for justice for those workers and their families.
No Justice in Bruneau Death if Criminal Charges Not Pursued, Say Steelworkers
“We have been down this road before and we know Ministry of Labour charges are not enough to hold corporations criminally accountable for killing workers.” - Marty Warren
Steelworkers Support Safety Recommendations in CN Rail Derailment Report
“We support the board’s recommendations and we believe the federal government should pursue further steps to improve rail safety.” - Ken Neumann
Investigate Highway Death as Potential Criminal Case: Steelworkers
“This was a preventable death and everything must be done to prevent a similar tragedy in the future.” USW Local 1986 President Steve Hadden