Grieving families demand real enforcement of the Westray Law
May 9, 2025
Today, May 9th 2025, marks the 33rd anniversary of the Westray disaster, where 26 miners in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, were killed in an underground explosion, the result of appalling disregard for health and safety laws – and the dignity of workers and their families. No worker should risk their life just by showing up to work. Yet in 2023,…
Rana Plaza: 12 years of fighting for corporate accountability
April 24, 2025
Since 2013, when the Rana Plaza factory collapsed in Bangladesh, Canada’s unions have marked the tragic April 24th anniversary by bringing attention to the ongoing unacceptable working conditions of Bangladeshi workers in the ready-made garment industry. The Rana Plaza industrial disaster, which killed 1,134 workers and injured thousands more, shone a spotlight on the lack of accountability of transnational corporations…
On Injured Workers Day, Canada’s unions say: safe work now!
May 31, 2024
June 1st is Injured Workers Day. Far too many workers continue to be injured on the job – many in critical, life-changing ways. According to the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada, an astounding 348,747 lost time claims were made in 2022, the last year for which complete data is available. Shockingly, this number doesn’t even count those who…
20 years after its passing, Canada’s unions demand enforcement of the Westray Law
May 9, 2024
On May 9th, 1992, 26 workers at the Westray mine in Pictou County, Nova Scotia were killed in an underground explosion as a result of callous, corporate disregard for health and safety laws. “We remember the 26 miners who died 32 years ago because of what a judge called ‘a complex mosaic of actions, omissions, mistakes, incompetence, apathy, cynicism, stupidity,…
As workers across the country prepare to mark the National Day of Mourning on April 28, Canada’s unions are calling on employers and governments to prioritize worker safety. This year’s demand for “Safe work now!” is a call to action for employers and governments to make work and workplaces truly safe spaces for all workers. “Too many workers are still…
Canada’s unions: Negligent employers on notice with 3-year prison sentence
September 14, 2023
In a direct message to employers who fail to ensure the health and safety of workers, a supervisor has been handed a three-year prison sentence for his failure to follow the law. In June of this year, the Court of King’s Bench found Jason King of New Brunswick-based Springhill Construction guilty of criminal negligence – “wonton and reckless disregard” –…
Urgent action needed to end homophobic and transphobic violence at work
May 17, 2023
Gender-diverse workers in Canada are still facing disproportionately high rates of violence and harassment in the workplace. Canada’s unions are marking May 17, the international day against homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and intersexphobia by bringing attention to this pervasive problem. “All workers, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, deserve to work free of violence and harassment. Unfortunately, this reality is…
Never again: Canada’s unions mark 10 years since the Rana Plaza factory collapse
April 24, 2023
On April 24, workers in Bangladesh and across the globe will gather to mark the anniversary of the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse and mourn the loss of the more than 1,100 workers who were killed. Over 2,500 workers and their families continue to live with the aftermath of serious injuries sustained in one of the world’s worst industrial disasters.…
Canada’s unions are celebrating Canada’s ratification of International Labour Organization Convention 190
January 30, 2023
Bruske: Workers deserve a safe workplace. This historic convention will establish the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment OTTAWA––C-190 is the first global treaty that acknowledges the universal right to a world of work free from violence and harassment, and establishes a clear framework for ending it. Once ratified, governments are accountable for preventing and…
May 9, 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the Westray mine explosion that killed 26 miners in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. The fatal explosion was caused by a buildup of methane gas and coal dust. In the ensuing public inquiry, Justice Peter K. Richard uncovered “a complex mosaic of actions, omissions, mistakes, incompetence, apathy, cynicism, stupidity, and neglect.” Despite years…