PENTICTON—If this year’s events are any indication, the international Day of Mourning message is getting through to employers. Just ask CUPE BC OH&S committee member Marlene Kantz, who was part of a delegation that unfurled CUPE’s bright yellow-and-black Day of Mourning flag in the Penticton city council chambers on April 21.
Kantz’s address to council on the importance of the Day of Mourning was videotaped as part of regular council proceedings and can be seen at www.penticton.ca.
“There’s a lot more awareness about it than before,” says Kantz, adding that CUPE’s Canary bookmark was attached to pay stubs for all City workers on April 25, as a final reminder to plan for the day itself.
On April 28 (Monday), a community ceremony was held at Penticton’s McLaren Park Arena. Speakers included representatives from the South Okanagan Labour Council, the BCTF, fire fighters, CUPE 608, Mayor Jake Kimberley and Kantz representing CUPE BC OH&S. Visit the CUPE gallery for photos.
Local media have also been paying attention, says Kantz.
“Clips from the ceremony were broadcast three times on the local news channel on Monday. On Tuesday, the Penticton Herald ran a front page story and photo about the Day of Mourning, and today the Penticton Western News ran a photo and story.”
Contact: Dan Gawthrop, CUPE Communications, 604.291.1940