Employees killed on job remembered at service By Christina Commisso CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF On the day C hristine Connor Icaried ihai a I 7 ycarol 01(1 cmloyce of a Mississauga Mctro bad died on the job, she quickly called lier soit at work to make sure he was 0K. "It can happen in a gro- cery store; it can happen anywhere," Connor, presi- dent of CAW Local 414, told a crowd gathered for a yearly service to remember those wbo've died in workplace accidents. Thursday marked the Canadian Labour Congresss National Day of Mourning. A group of union repre- sentatives, healîb and safety personnel and individuals who have been affeeted by workplace accidents or death congregated at Chris Hadfield Park for a memori- ai service. "Every time a worker dies, 1 can't sec a good reason it happens," said Roger Falconer, a manager at the Workers Health and Safety Centre. 'Employers have a responsibility flot to let that happen. " While addressing the 25 or so individuals who gath- ered for the event, Falconer reminded them of occupa- tional disease and its pres- ence in many work environ- ments. "Some are exposed to danger every day, and some- times they don't know that. Ontario law says they have the right to know. We had to fight for those laws." Falconer said 491 work- ers in Ontario died last year MICHAEL IVANIN / METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Donald Sparks conducts a rîtual ceremnony during Miltons annual Day of Morning event Thursday at Chrîs Hadfield Park. The day remembers employees aost in workplace accidents. whîle on the job and close t0 250,000 sulfered from a workplace, injury4 illness or disease. "Behind every single one, there is a family affected by these deaths and it must stop.,' Organizer and union activist Alma Gildea - wbo lost ber parents to lung can- cer, which she says was caused by.exposure to toxins from their work at a steel fac- tory - thanked those who work in health and safety She then began a ceremo- nial blessing at the parks monument that honours those who have died or faîl- en iii at their workplace. "With workplace injuries and dcatbs, if ot doesn't affect someone directly, they tend t0 not think about it. We want to remind people that you could go t0 work and your family may neyer see you again, and it sbouldn't be like that," said Connor, adding that the Day of Mourning also brings t0 light the importance of edu- cating employees s0 they know their rights at the workplace. CAW Local 414 is based out of Milton and includes 14,000 members. Christina Commisao can b reached at ccommiaso@amil- toncanadianchampion.com. Eerything 5tart5 with a 5mile tieY1 hocad nt RIO UAN CENTE, nwN' om hepo sintes Speciall! 11111 IMYPLANT CONSSULTATION! New Patientb andl Emergeniciei5- Welcomel ~.nwmapledeçâtaieare.c ïa R 1 905-636-1000 Evening & weekend appointments available INTRODUCING THE WO LUISFIRST GO-CARI. Like every Scion, the tC cornes fully Ioaded with premium standard features. With its styling, potent engine and sport tuned suspension, the tC is sure to stand out. And that's jbefore you even look at customizing it with our specially designed accessories from the racetrack and the street. The next step is yours. tc FuNy- Load * 1 80 HP, 2.5 Litre, 4-Cylinder, DOHC, 16-Valve, Dual VVT-i * 6 Speed Transmission * 1 8 inch alloy wheels * Sport tuned suspension * Panoramic Glass Power Moonroof * Air Conditioning (TOYOTA * Power door locks and windows * Keyless entry * Star Safety SystemTM * 8 Aîrbags * 8 Speaker Pioneer Audio System with USB Audio Input * Bluetooth 1-888-790-6329 4 1245 Steeles Avenue ZCC (Corner et James Snow Plcwy. & Steeles Ave.) Va M 1 LT P)TOYOTA