COPE 378 members

cope 378 News & EventsFight for the Living, Mourn for the DeadNational Day of MourningApril 28, 2006The National Day of Mourning rememberingworkers killed and injuredon the job started over two decadesago and is now recognized around theglobe. April 28 is an opportunity for workersand employers to remember the dead,injured and ill as well as publicly renewtheir commitment to improve health andsafety in the workplace.This year, COPE 378 PresidentAndy Ross, wrote to the employers whereour members work and asked them to joinwith us by marking the Day of Mourningwith a one minute silence. “We are askingall our employers to pledge to the silence asa symbol of remembrance and dedicationfor renewed safety,” said President Ross ina letter to employers.The union was very pleased with theresponse with over two-thirds of employersparticipating in the Day of Mourning.Some employers, like BC Hydro, havewell-established programs to recognizeworkers killed or injured in the workplaceand other employers, like National CarRental, took the time to write to COPE378 to share their experiences after theevent. A quote from the letter Nationalsent to the union: “…I can assure you ithas touched everyone deeply and made usall more aware of the need for care duringA procession of workers carried 188 “pseudo coffins” through downtown Vancouver on the morningof April 28, the Day of Mourning. The coffins represented the number of workers killed as a result ofworkplace accidents in 2005. COPE 378 members were there in support, including Vic Foth, photoupper right, COPE 378 Union Rep who was previously employed at Greyhound Canada.our day-to-day duties… we will endeavorto make this an annual event.”All the employer-participants receiveda certificate of recognition fromCOPE 378 and their names were postedon our website, www.cope378.ca.2006 EMPLOYER PARTICIPANTS• BC Hydro • Accenture • BCGEU• BC Transmission Corp. • Capilano College• Coast Mountain Bus Company •Fortis BC • Greyhound Canada • HandyPack • Hastings Entertainment • ICBC• Pacific Vehicle Testing • Powertech• National Car Rental • Konica Minolta• Ricoh Canada • Southern Rail •Schneider Canada • Teletheatre BC •Terasen-KMI • Translink • Tree Island •Working Enterprises Insurancecope 378 Local Voice SUMMER 2006 Page 13