In the Canadian aviation community, we have been especially impacted by the AC8686 accident at New York LaGuardia airport, which claimed the lives of Captain Antoine Forest, First Officer Mackenzie Gunther, and resulted in serious injury to In-Charge Solange Tremblay and fellow crew member Francois Grenier.
In the broader CUPE community, we also lost colleagues to workplace accidents over the past year:
- Miguel Escalante Ledesma, CUPE 1000, Ontario
- Nabil El-Ahmed, CUPE 5167, Ontario
- Kulbir Kalia, CUPE 3338, British Columbia
- Jose Castillo, CUPE 416, Ontario:
• Richard Anstett, CUPE 79, Ontario
Today we ask that you join us in holding them in your thoughts, as well as the thousands of workers from all industries who suffered workplace injuries or deaths while on the job.
The National Day of Mourning began as a CUPE initiative, led by Safety Director Colin Lambert who had worked as a steelworker and miner. It was passed at the National Convention in 1985, and by the Canada Labour Congress in 1986. The goals were simple: raise awareness of workers killed or injured on the job. In doing so, we are encouraged to improve health and safety legislation, raise awareness of worker rights, and improve working conditions. In 1991 a private members bill was passed in the House of Commons officially marking April 28th as a National Day of Mourning.
Remember that safety doesn’t wait for a more convenient moment. Safety is NOW, ALWAYS. Be confident in your safety knowledge and skills. Be unapologetic in holding safety as your true first priority. It’s what we’re here for above all else.
In solidarity,
Your Air Canada Component of CUPE Health and Safety Committee