Union activists, labour leaders, politicians, community members, and employers united today to remember those workers killed or injured on the job in Canada.

April 28 is the Annual Day of Mourning for those workers, marking the anniversary of the first workers' compensation act in Ontario.

Every year, workers and employers mark the occasion in a number of ways, ranging from public ceremonies to quiet moments of silent remembrance at workstations.

COPE 378 had representatives at ceremonies across the province, including the main BC Federation of Labour ceremony at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Additional ceremonies were held in cities and towns across BC.

A reminder that this Monday, April 28 is the Day of Mourning for Workers killed or injured on the job.

Across BC, Canada, and internationally, workers, workplaces, and employers take the opportunity to pause and remember these workers.

Numerous workplaces are also recognizing the occasion in the course of the workday, including COPE 378 workplaces such as BC Hydro, BCGEU, and TransLink. Please take a moment out of your workday to remember those workers who have lost their lives or been injured in the course of doing their work.

The BC Federation of Labour will be holding its ceremony in conjunction with the Vancouver and District Labour Council at 7:30 AM at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

COPE 378 would like to congratulate Capilano College on being granted University status by the provincial government yesterday.

COPE 378 has supported Capilano's campaign to achieve this institutional status and have the ability to issue a wider range of programs and degrees.

Office and professional staff at Capilano are members of COPE 378, and members and the union both hope that this move will lead to an expansion of the univeristy.

The union had supported Capilano's campaign, and President Andy Ross had encouraged members to lobby their MLAs and the provincial government to make this move.

ENVIRONMENTALIST, LABOUR, COMMUNITY GROUPS RENEW CALL FOR PRIVATE POWER MORATORIUM AFTER NEW DAM MEGAPROJECT ANNOUNCED

 18-Dam Project, Roads, Transmission Lines Proposed for Pristine Wilderness in Bute Inlet

Community, environmental, and labour groups are renewing their call for a government moratorium on private power projects in the wake of the announcement that Plutonic Power is proceeding with a massive hydroelectric project with 18 dams in pristine Bute Inlet. These groups are also calling on Plutonic Power to hold several community consultations, including in major population centres.

As part of the ‘People's Summit' in New Orleans, COPE 378 joined with other labour groups from Canada, the USA, and Mexico to view some of the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

President Andy Ross and Communications Director Mike Bruce were in New Orleans this week to participate in meetings with other unions in the North American energy sector, in conjunction with the People's Summit, which takes place in parallel to the summit of the 3 countries' leaders.

The second North American Meeting of Energy Sector Organizations from the US, Canada and Mexico kicked off today in New Orleans as part of the People's Summit.

Next week, COPE 378 will be co-sponsoring a number of events in the Columbia River-Revelstoke region that look at concerns around power privatization and the gold rush of private power development on BC's Rivers and Streams.

Working with Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald and a number of community partners, we will be attending open houses and forums in Field, Invermere, Kimberley, Golden, and Revelstoke between April 21 and 26.

Our other partners in these events include the Council of Canadians, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, and Wildsight.

Event details are listed below.

April 28 is the Day of Mourning for Workers killed or injured on the job.

Across BC, Canada, and internationally, workers, workplaces, and employers take the opportunity to pause and remember these workers.

Events to make the occassion are taking place across BC.

Click here for a list of events.

Click here for a message from BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair

Have you received your mail-in ballot for the COPE 378 elections yet?

If not, please call the union office right away.

COPE 378's Returning Officer Wendy Payne can be reached at 604-299-0378 or toll-free at 1-800-665-6838. The Returning Officer can also be reached via email at returningofficer@cope378.ca.

Ballot packages were mailed out to all COPE 378 members on Monday April 7. They include your ballots, candiate guide, and instructions.

A memorial service for former COPE 378 President Ron Tuckwood is being held on Tuesday, April 15 at 12:00 noon.

The service will take place at the FireFighter's Hall in Burnaby at 6515 Bonsor Avenue.