Stop The Killing, Enforce The Law

Hamilton Steelworkers Ask For City Council Support

HAMILTON, ON, Feb. 4, 2014 /CNW/ - United Steelworkers (USW) representatives in Hamilton are asking Hamilton City Council to support a motion to protect worker health and safety through better enforcement of the Westray Act.

WHO:	Sylvia Boyce, Steelworkers Health and Safety Rep for Ontario, and Hamilton Steelworkers Area Council members Mike Miscio, Mike Hnatjuk, Frank Micelli and Darren Green
WHAT:	USW Presentation Seeking Hamilton City Council Support for Enforcement of the Westray Act
WHERE:	Hamilton City Council Chambers
	71 Main St. W., Hamilton
WHEN:	Wednesday, February 5, 9:45 a.m.

"Workplace fatalities have to stop," says Darren Green, Steelworkers Area Council President. "Hamilton City Council can help stop the killing and keep workers safe by adopting a motion to support enforcement of the Westray Act so those responsible for workplace deaths are held to account."

The USW representatives will appear before Hamilton City Council on Wed., Feb. 5 at 9:45 a.m.

Stop the Killing, Enforce the Law is the USW's campaign asking provincial Attorneys General to take steps to enforce the Westray Act. The motion before Hamilton City Council asks for support of this initiative.

Following the horrific Westray coal mine explosion that killed 26 miners on May 9, 1992, in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, the United Steelworkers (USW) spearheaded a decade-long campaign to demand "No More Westrays."

The so-called Westray Act, amended the Criminal Code to hold corporations and directors criminally accountable for workplace deaths and injuries. The amendments were adopted unanimously by the House of Commons and became law in 2004.  

However, in the decade since, more than 9,000 Canadians have been killed on the job, yet not one corporate executive has faced a single day in jail.

Sudbury City Council unanimously adopted a motion following a USW presentation in January.

www.StopTheKilling.ca

SOURCE: United Steelworkers (USW)

Sylvia Boyce, USW Health and Safety, 905-741-9830, [email protected]; Darren Green, Hamilton Steelworkers Area Council, 905-719-4412, [email protected]