CUPE’s health and safety policy takes life and death issues out of the committee room, placing them squarely in workers’ hands – where they belong. Enough! outlines the serious limitations of joint worker-management committees that lack power and serve the employer’s needs. The situation is critical. Cutbacks and privatization are magnifying the devastating effects of hazardous workplaces, stress, occupational diseases, workload overload and workplace violence. Young workers, Aboriginal workers and workers of colour are most at risk.
Workers are the real health and safety experts, and Enough! calls for a dramatic power shift. Workers must have the right to refuse unsafe work and shut down unsafe work sites. Strong collective agreements, member education and pressure on employers and governments to provide healthy and safe workplaces will give workers control over their lives and well-being. CUPE members are sick and tired – and are saying loud and clear ‘Enough!’
