CUPE member Normand Gauthier, a longshoreman at the port of Matane, was killed at work on Monday, January 7.
Gauthier, 54, was killed during loading operations aboard the Maineborg, a ship bound for Europe.
CUPE National President Paul Moist expressed sadness and offered condolences.
“On behalf of all CUPE members, I offer our deepest condolences to the Gauthier family, and the members of local 4239. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. It is a terrible tragedy, and the fact it’s happened twice at this port in less than three years is very disturbing.”
In May 2010, CUPE 4239 member Gilles Létourneau was killed in a similar accident.
CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury also offered condolences.
“No one should have to sacrifice their life for work. We are shocked and saddened that this has happened again. We will certainly be monitoring the investigation closely.”
Transport Canada is investigating the incident.
Gauthier was from Sainte-Félicité, Que. He leaves behind a wife and three children.