The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is in mourning for a member who died on Monday in the accident at the port of Matane. Normand Gauthier, aged 54, was killed while bales of pulp were being loaded with a crane. In May 2010, another worker was killed at the same port under similar circumstances.
“This death is even harder to understand and accept because it is the second at the Port of Matane in less than three years. An investigation is in progress and we should not jump to conclusions. But one thing is certain: we will be closely monitoring health and safety conditions and worker training at the Port of Matane. We will also ensure that any recommendations arising from the investigation are implemented to the letter,” said CUPE representative Yanick Proulx.
“The loss of our colleague Normand Gauthier tells us that we need to redouble our efforts to make ports safer. It is totally unacceptable for someone to lose his life in this way in the workplace,” said Mario Lamy, chairman of the CUPE Mixed Sector.
Both union representatives offer their deepest condolences to Normand Gauthier’s family and friends.
CUPE is the largest longshoremen’s union in Quebec. The longshoremen at the ports of Montreal, Quebec City, Matane, Contrecoeur, Sorel-Tracy, Bécancour and Trois-Rivières are affiliated with CUPE. With more than 111,000 members in Quebec, CUPE is also present in the following sectors: social services, education, energy, government corporations and public agencies, urban and air transport, and universities.
Information:
Yanick Proulx, CUPE representative, 418 750-5115, yproulx@scfp.qc.ca
Sébastien Goulet, CUPE Communications, 438 882-3756, sgoulet@scfp.qc.ca