SURREY—CUPE 402’s Day of Mourning presentation yesterday drew more than 200 workers, along with mayor Dianne Watts, council members and City managers.
The event, hosted by CUPE 402 OH&S committee chair Tom Wiebe, began with a bagpipe hymn played by Nicholas Walser. Rick Tanaka read a proclamation from the mayor and city council, then Tom Lauritzen, regional manager of Prevention for WorkSafe BC, read the workplace injuries statistics for 2007. CUPE 402 president Laurie Larsen read the workers’ statement issued by CUPE, then Walser repeated the bagpipe hymn during the moment of silence to remember workers who have been killed on the job. Refreshments were served to all after the event.
“This is the 11th presentation for the Day of Mourning that the City has endorsed,” said Larsen.
“In the past we have mounted plaques in various worksites and benches, and planted trees in honor of those injured or killed on the job. The Union is very proud of the work that the OH&S committees does and they are always acknowledged.”
Larsen said that her local wraps up the event each year with a draw for CUPE T-shirts honoring April 28th. The union also does a presentation to city council on the Day of Mourning.
Contact: Dan Gawthrop, 604.291.1940