Health, Safety & the Environment News

Westray Law Should Have Applied in New Brunswick Fatality, Say Steelworkers

“We want workers and their families to be provided with justice. A fine is not justice. It is permission to repeat the offence of an unsafe workplace.” - Marty Warren

WSIB and Government Must Act Now on Occupational Cancer Claims

“Recognition of work-related cancers is the first necessary step to preventing them in the future.” - Marty Warren

Grant Exemption to Bill 124 or Risk Seniors in Long-Term Care: Steelworkers

“The premier is fond of praising essential workers for their ‘courage.’ But actions speak louder than words.” - Marty Warren

Ford Government Allowing Undue Risk to Workers Amid Province-Wide Reopening: Steelworkers

“We cannot be opening up the Ontario economy without ensuring workers will be protected, and when they are not, that there are consequences.” - Marty Warren

Steelworkers Union Welcomes WSIB Decision Recognizing McIntyre Powder-Related Parkinson’s as Occupational Disease

“This victory means workers’ claims for compensation may finally be met. It's a significant step toward justice for elderly and sick retirees and their families."

Workers’ Compensation System a ‘National Disgrace’: United Steelworkers

Provincial governments must rectify fatal flaws in the workers’ compensation system that continue to ruin lives and exacerbate the opioid crisis

Pandemic Pay for Security Guards: We’re Waiting!

More than 5,200 Quebecers sign petition to the National Assembly in support of a pandemic premium for the province's security guards.

Pandemic Exposes Urgent Need for Reforms for Workers, all Canadians: Ken Neumann

USW National Director Ken Neumann appears on Sauga 960 AM radio to advocate for critical issues for workers and all Canadians during the pandemic.

Share Your COVID-19 Work Experience

A national survey has been launched to document and analyze the experiences of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Steelworkers Call for Health and Safety Reforms Following Report into Worker’s Death

Quebec’s workplace health and safety agency cites poor management of inspection and maintenance procedures as one of the causes of fatality.

Long-Term Care Workers to Protest Cuts at Maxville Manor

PSW hours cut as long-term care is in crisis and vulnerable residents are at risk due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Basic Training Would Have Saved a Life

Quebec health and safety agency’s report into workplace fatality indicates employer failed in its duty to train workers.

Our Unvalued Heroes: Care Workers Confront Heartbreak, Death and PTSD

“From the beginning, we knew we were at risk. We knew an outbreak was coming, it was just a matter of time.”

Study Released by Ontario WSIB Must Be Applied to Compensation Across Canada, Say Steelworkers

“The study means compensation claims that were rejected will be reviewed, hopefully resulting in justice for survivors and families.” - Marty Warren

We Remember Those Lost 28 Years Ago in the Westray Mine Explosion Like It Was Yesterday: Steelworkers

The USW union remembers with heavy hearts the 28th anniversary of the devastating loss of 26 miners in the Westray Coal Mine explosion. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost and their Nova Scotia communities.

Ontario Labour Ministry Not Upholding Workers’ Rights: Steelworkers

“Workers’ right to refuse unsafe work is being denied by the Ministry of Labour. Some workers are deemed essential. But none should be sacrificial.”

Cargill Death and Disease a 21st-Century Version of the Westray Explosion

“The events leading up to the death of a worker who died at Cargill this month are eerily similar to those leading up to the explosion of the Westray mine 28 years ago.” - Steve Hunt

Steelworkers Humanity Fund Provides $50,000 to Support Bangladeshi Garment Workers Affected by COVID-19

“The contribution will make a huge difference in the lives of 750 families who will receive food packages and medical kits.” - Ken Neumann

Covid-19 Health & Safety Complaints and Work Refusals in Ontario: A Letter to the Minister of Labour

Steelworkers at Koolatron Protecting Canadian Workers

Steelworkers in Brantford, Ont., ready to produce Personal Protective Equipment and medical transportation coolers to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

United Steelworkers in Niagara Get Busy Fighting COVID-19

USW members purchase 3D printers and begin pumping out face shields for health-care workers.

Day of Mourning and COVID-19

Many events that would otherwise be the work of the union have been suspended because of the global pandemic, but we hope that we can all continue to prepare for the Day of Mourning in our communities, whether we are able to gather in ceremony or not.

Steelworkers Union Calls for Worker Support and Protection During COVID-19

Time away from work to stop the spread of the virus should not mean loss of income, regardless of job or workplace. Unpaid job-protected leave doesn’t pay the bills.

Justice Denied in Olivier Bruneau’s Death

USW joins deceased worker's family in condemning decision to end police investigation and rule out criminal charges.

USW Continues Its Call to Stop the Killing and Enforce the Law

On the first anniversary of a mining disaster in Brazil which killed 250 workers, the United Steelworkers union continues its call to stop the killing and ensure proper enforcement of the law.

Criminal Charges Against Brazilian Multinational Should Send a Message to Canadian Government – Steelworkers

“Our federal government should ensure that multinational companies operating in Canada have records that do not include putting profit over safety and human life anywhere in the world.” - Ken Neumann

Third Death of a Traffic Control Worker in Two Months

How long before workplace safety prevention is taken seriously in Quebec, Steelworkers ask.

Steelworkers Urge Government To Implement Recommendations From Sawmill Explosions Review

Nearly eight years after two sawmill explosions in northern British Columbia claimed the lives of four people and injured dozens more, the (USW) is responding to the release of a review of actions by WorkSafeBC and government in relation to worker safety.

Five Fatalities at One Factory is Five Too Many: Steelworkers

This week’s fifth gruesome fatality of a temporary agency worker at Fiera Foods Group’s bakery facility in North York is another tragic reason to better enforce 2004 Criminal Code amendments, known as the Westray Law.

Steelworkers Support and Applaud Climate Day of Action

“We stand with the youth of the world who are taking to the streets to urge our leaders to commit to fighting climate change.” - Ken Neumann

Locked-Out New Brunswick Workers Build Solidarity in Colombia

Workers from Glencore operations in 12 countries build solidarity for workplace health and safety.

Westray Lessons Still Not Learned in Nova Scotia: Steelworkers’ Director Marty Warren

“No one, especially family members, should have to resort to filing a freedom-of-information request to find out the details of a loved one’s death.” - Marty Warren

New Training Brings Awareness on How to Address Mental Health Challenges

Members at Scapa Tapes in Renfrew, Ontario recently participated in a mental health training session offered and negotiated by the union.

United Steelworkers Welcomes Criminal Charges Against Kiewit Construction in Death of Sam Fitzpatrick

Kiewit and two supervisors each face one count of criminal negligence causing death.

NDP Climate Plan Protects our Planet and our Jobs – Steelworkers

The NDP climate plan is the most comprehensive environmental platform of any of the parties. It is worker-oriented and jobs-centred. Our members want to be involved in the decision-making, and this plan specifically mentions working with labour.

Remembering Westray

In the early morning of May 9, 1992, an explosion ripped through the Westray coal mine in Plymouth, Nova Scotia, killing all twenty-six miners working the night shift.

Labour a Key Partner in a Canadian Green New Deal

The Broadbent Institute's Rick Smith and USW National Director Ken Neumann write in The Toronto Star about putting the concerns of labour and environmental groups to work in a mutually reinforcing way in a Canadian Green New Deal.

Day of Mourning

APRIL 28TH Day of Mourning - Close to 1,000 workers in Canada die on the job every year.

USW Welcomes B.C. Government Review of WorkSafeBC Actions In Sawmill Explosions

The United Steelworkers' "Stop The Killing, Enforce The Law" campaign has been focused on lobbying governments at every level to protect the health and safety of all workers and ensuring that the Westray Law is applied when appropriate.

Former Rubber Workers Urged to Attend Occupational Disease Information Sessions

“We are committed to ensuring these workers and their surviving family members receive the justice and dignity they deserve.” - Marty Warren

Steelworkers Denounce Plea Agreement in Worker’s Death

“The consequences of workplace deaths and injuries must be more than a cost of doing business.”