CUPE Québec has filed a criminal complaint against management at the port of Bécancour after a dock worker lost a leg in an accident.
The Dec 3 accident occurred when a mooring cable snapped and struck one worker, severing one leg and breaking the other in three places.
The union believes the employer’s failings are serious enough to warrant criminal charges.
Since June, the local union - CUPE 1375 - has been demanding training sessions, safety procedures and the creation of a crew chief position for docking maneouvers.
The crew chief - a position that exists port facilities in Trois Rivières - is in constant radio contact with the ship’s pilot and can react immediately if problems arise.
But the employer refused the union’s requests, judging them to be too expensive.
For the full story, see Jambe sectionnée au Port de Bécancour Le SCFP porte plainte au criminel (french only).