How did National Day of Mourning originate?

Did you know that CUPE members came up with the idea of creating a day to recognize workers who were killed or injured at work? In the early eighties, Colin Lambert, CUPE National Health and Safety director and fellow activist Ray Sentes came up with the concept of Day of Mourning.

The idea was floated and adopted by the CUPE National Health and Safety committee which declared the event would take place on May 1st , to coincide with May Day, celebrated in Europe and elsewhere. In 1984/1985 the proposal was presented to the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). In February 1986 the CLC announce on the first day of their convention the 1st National Day of Mourning. However, rather than May 1st, the CLC chose a date which reflects the anniversary of Ontario’s first workers compensation law, passed on April 28, 1914.

This year, we mourn the lost of four CUPE members who lost their life in the function of their work:

·       Micheal Adams, local 4707, Ontario

·       Dennis Lo, local 718-05, British Columbia

·       Sara Sarabosing, local 561-01, British Columbia

·       Jean-Eudes Doiron, local 1190, New Brunswick

Please remember to hold a moment of silence on April 28th and pay respect to those who where injured and killed on the workplace.

Pascal Lavigne

1st Vice-President 

CUPE local 4000