April 28 is a Day of Mourning for thousands of Canadian workers killed or injured on the job each year, or who die from work-related diseases. On this day, we mourn, but it is also a time to insist that all levels of government do more to enforce existing health and safety laws and vigorously prosecute violations when a worker is killed or seriously injured. The labour movement worked for
COVID-19 is proving to be a tough adversary as we manage through the fourth wave of the pandemic. In many workplaces across Canada workers have both contracted and died from COVID-19, the culprit of the spread often being lax health and safety protocols. Often numbers of workers sick with COVID-19 are officially underreported, and proving COVID-19 is contracted in the workplace is an uphill battle. From meat processing plants, retail,
In a race against the fourth wave of the Coronavirus, the government, public health units and employers have moved from encouraging vaccination to mandating it. In recent weeks, many employers have issued mandatory vaccination policies, giving rise to multiple concerns, from individual rights to rights of the collective to work in safe environments. Some are raising practical concerns, like worker’s compensation, and whether employers who mandate vaccines are liable for
Ford’s recent announcement on making pandemic pay permanent for personal support workers (PSW) in community care, long-term care homes, public hospitals and those providing services to children is welcome news, and long overdue. But, concern remains over upcoming details, such as to whom the increase will apply. “The IAM has a growing footprint in healthcare, and we are glad that the Ford government has recognized the important work of PSWs,
Canada’s unions are marking the National Day of Mourning by calling attention to the human cost of the COVID-19 pandemic. For over a year, the world has faced unprecedented upheaval due to COVID-19. The virus and its variants have wrought havoc on our society and laid bare a troubling lack of protection for workers. #DayOfMourning #DoM2021
April 1, 2021 To: All IAM Members Subject: IAM Canada mourns loss of IAM Local 99 member Dear Members and Activists, On April 1, 2021, our membership suffered a tragic loss. Two IAM members were injured on the job at a Finning location in Edmonton, AB yesterday while on the job. Tragically, one of them passed away this morning in hospital. I understand this message may be difficult to process.
Sisters and Brothers: It has now been one year since there was a worldwide pandemic call respecting COVID-19. In that context, there has been a great deal in the news over recent weeks about the availability of vaccines. We now know there are four (4) separate vaccines that will be made available to the public as vaccine rollout occurs across Canada. This has led to a number of questions being
As the crisis that ensued from the pandemic continues, there’s another one that’s raging- unavailability of paid sick days. Workers, unions, advocates, small business owners, and health experts are all united in their calls on provincial governments to act responsibly and finally take all precautions to protect public health; implement paid sick days. Yet, despite a yearlong lobby effort, no action has been taken. The pandemic has plagued our communities
IAM Sisters, once again, have taken on a much needed, and important task- addressing the toll of the pandemic on mental health. With many of our members coping with changes in their workplaces and lives, the daily grind leaves little time to address depleted energy reservoirs and self-care. Mental health is generally a topic that can be taboo, and receives little attention, but it’s not a topic IAM Sisters shy
As of January 1, 2021, a new standalone Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations will take effect, and replace Part XX of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. The new regulations will apply to both workplace violence and sexual harassment under Part II of the Canada Labour Code. Under this regime employers will have added obligations and will be required to do the following; Develop a workplace violence prevention
