City of Vancouver flies flag at half-mast for workers injured and killed on the job

It's the National Day of Mourning for thousands of workers who've been killed, injured, or suffered illnesses as a result of their what's happened in the workplace.

The B.C. Federation of Labour, the Business Council of B.C., and WorkSafe B.C. will pay respects to these workers at a 10:30 a.m. ceremony close to the Workers' Memorial Sanctuary in Hasings Park (2901 East Hastings Street).

According to the B.C. Fed, there were 144 work-related fatalities in B.C. last year, including 85 from occupational disease. Most of those were related to exposure to asbestos many years ago.

Another 59 deaths were caused by traumatic injuries, including 22 motor-vehicle accidents.

Construction was the most dangerous occupation, with 30 work-related deaths, followed by manufacturing (25) and transportation and related industries (25). 

In honour of these workers, the flag is flying at half-mast over Vancouver City Hall today.

https://twitter.com/CityofVancouver/status/857958035574202368

To draw attention to this day, the B.C. Federation of Labour also created a poster featuring Haida-Tsimshian artist Burton Amos's Crying Moon. (See above.)

It shows a clan mother weeping for the loss of a loved one as hands reach out for support from the community.