Winnipeg – Today, as part of the April 28th Day of Mourning events happening across Canada, the Manitoba Government announced its action plan to prevent injury and illness in the workplace.
“CUPE is proud that Manitoba’s NDP government is taking strong legislative action to support workplace health and safety in Manitoba” expresses Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba, “It is poignant that this announcement comes on a day when the labour movement is remembering our colleagues who died or were injured on the job”.
The provincial announcement includes the doubling of funding for prevention services, and the creation of new requirements under the Workplace Safety and Health Act that more clearly define workers’ legal rights, as well as requiring mandatory orientation of new workers, and providing stronger protection when a worker refuses unsafe work.
“CUPE members are on the front line providing services to the community each and every day” states Moist, “we are reassured that the government’s pledge to increase public awareness, provide resources for training, and taking every workplace death seriously means that our community will see fewer workplace injuries”.
The provincial 5-year plan was announced during the annual Day of Mourning Leaders’ Walk that brought hundreds of workers and young people to the steps of the Manitoba Legislature, looking for action on the part of government.
“Manitoba is fast becoming a national leader on workplace health and safety” states Moist, “and because of the work of unions, we are seeing serious improvements and commitments from our government”.
The new plan also includes increasing the enforcement of rules to prevent bullying and violence in the workplace, and reviewing every workplace death to learn lessons about prevention.