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Each year on April 28th, Nova Scotia joins the rest of Canada and more than 80 countries worldwide to remember those who have lost their lives or suffered illness or injury in a work-related tragedy. This is not only a day to honour those lives lost or injured at work, but also to come together to renew our commitment to protect Nova Scotians by improving health and safety in the workplace.
Every day, nurses confront potential exposure to infectious diseases, toxic substances, and injury. Beyond these workplace hazards, nurses and other healthcare professionals are frequently subject to excessive stress, violence and harassment. All are unacceptable.
NSNU President Janet Hazelton attended the National Day of Mourning Ceremony led by the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour at Province House. On behalf of the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union, Janet laid a wreath to honour the lives of the 20 Nova Scotians who died due to a work-related incident in 2021.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Westray Mining disaster in Plymouth, Pictou County, where 26 families lost their sons, fathers, brothers and uncles in an explosion at the coal mine. At the April 28th Ceremony, Genesta Halloran-Peters shared a moving account of what it has been like to lose her husband to the mining tragedy and their fight for justice.
On May 9th, Janet Hazelton attended a beautiful ceremony in New Glasgow to remember the 26 men who never returned home from work 30 years ago. The organizers of the event – relatives of the deceased workers, the United Steelworkers Union, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, Workers' Compensation Board Nova Scotia and the Province of Nova Scotia – did an incredible job.
We recognize workers who have been killed, injured, or suffered illness due to workplace hazards, and we are saying enough is enough. The NSNU will continue to advocate for members’ health and safety at all levels. Workplace injuries and deaths are preventable.
