Kamloops Labour Council to recognize National Day of Mourning at Tuesday ceremony

“Any injury is preventable, and it might seem accidental but it is preventable,” said Brian Andrews with the Kamloops and District Labour Council. “And we don’t want them to be statistics. We want them to show this happened and there are ways to stop these things from happening.”

Workers have the right to refuse unsafe work, but as financial pressures mount, it can be tougher for people to speak out.

“What it comes down to is young people in the workplace. Young people are more likely, statistically, to get injured because they are new to the workplace,” said Andrews. “It’s about the older generation teaching the younger generation what’s safe and what’s not safe because it might seem safe to them, but it might not be safe when you look into it deeply.”

While it’s easy to see the physical impacts, the labour council is also highlighting the effects of job-related mental health challenges and bringing forward safeguards around that subject.

“There is a stigma. People see it as a negative. But people are working hard and these days, especially, if you lose your job these days, you aren’t going to be able to afford your bills. And they have to really push and really endure and that affects your health,” said Andrews.

Everybody is welcome to join the Day of Mourning event at the Sandman Center’s Kia Lounge on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.. It’s expected to last about an hour.

by Michael Reeve

Kamloops Labour Council to recognize National Day of Mourning at Tuesday ceremony

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