UPDATED June
2, 2005
Report from the Fourth Annual
Provincial Day of Mourning Ceremony
-On April 28, the PEI Federation of
Labour and its affiliates in conjunction with the Workers Compensation Board and the
provincial government held our Fourth Annual Provincial Day of Mourning for Workers
Killed and Injured on the Job Ceremony at Province House in Charlottetown.
Approximately 60 - 70 people attended this year’s
event.
-The solemn event started inside with
O Canada sung by Gaye Hood followed next by the Invocation read by Reverend Joy Noble,
then by a speech on the theme for this year’s ceremony “Save Lives – Enforce Health &
Safety Legislation” from Carl Pursey (President of the PEIFL), and finally a
speech from the Provincial Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Elmer
MacFadyen.
-Bagpiper Wayne MacKinnon then led
everyone outside for the wreath and rose laying ceremonies. There were 20 wreathes laid
this year including the ones laid by the loved ones of Russell Lockhart and Darryl Clow
who died at work this year and one laid by employees of Atlantis Bioactive in honour
of Wayne Murnaghan who also died on the job this year. Roses were laid by the
loved ones in honour of 9 other workers who died on the job in previous years.
-Next Martin Kenney led the crowd in
singing Peter Emberley. After the closing remarks made by Charlene MacInnis (Injured Workers
Group), there was a very nice reception at Province House supplied by the Provincial
Government.
-The fed would like to thank everyone
who helped make the event the success it was, especially Executive Council member Leo
Cheverie, Treasurer Chris Vessey, and Office Secretary Marjorie Gyrus who put a lot of
effort into organizing the event. Also Executive Council member Vimy Gregory who
handled announcing duties during the wreath and rose laying ceremonies along
with Executive Council Member Claudette Anderson who also handled signing in those
in attendance.
-The fed also sent out
Proclamations to various communities on PEI asking them to proclaim April 28th as an annual Day of Morning in
recognition of workers killed, injured or disabled on the job. Kensington,
Stratford, Summerside, and Montague signed the Proclamation while Charlottetown agreed to
fly their flags at half-mast and observe a moment of silence.
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