Honouring lost, injured workers in Sudbury

42nd Workers Memorial Day is Saturday. Mine Mill Local 598 Unifor to honour fallen and injured workers, reaffirming commitment to safer workplaces.

Saturday marks the 42nd annual Workers’ Memorial Day in Greater Sudbury, which originated from a mining tragedy in Falconbridge.

Mine Mill Local 598/Unifor will host a ceremony honouring the memory of workers who have lost their lives or been injured on the job.

The day is also about reaffirming a commitment to advocating for safer work for all. The day acknowledges the tragedy of June 20, 1984, when a seismic event at the number five Falconbridge Mine shaft claimed the lives of four miners. That shaft has long since been closed.

“We want all of our workers to come home from work at the end of the day in good order with no injuries and we don’t want anyone to lose their life at the workplace and have their families deal with those tragedies and the whole community,” said Eric Boulay, president of Unifor Mine Mill Local 598.

The event will take place at the Mine Mill Union Hall on Richard Lake with doors opening at 9:30 and the ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.