On April 28, the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC joins with unions around Canada to recognize the 25th anniversary of the National Day of Mourning. Each year on this date, we remember those workers who were killed or injured on the job.

This is also a day to renew our commitment to fight for healthier and safer workplaces, for employer accountability, and for full compensation for injured workers and survivors.

On this Day of Mourning, we add our voices to those of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, BC Federation of Labour, and Canadian Labour Congress and all its affiliated unions in calling on the federal government to implement a comprehensive ban on asbestos.

Occupational disease resulting from asbestos exposure is the leading cause of work-related death in B.C. and Canada. Every year, nearly 150,000 workers are exposed to asbestos, and over 2000 workers are diagnosed with fatal asbestos-related diseases.

Today we remember the 187 workers in BC who lost their lives at work in 2015 and the thousands more who were injured or developed occupational disease. We honour the families, friends, and co-workers who are left behind to mourn the loss of their loved ones.

The Federation of post-Secondary Educators encourages everyone to attend a Day of Mourning ceremony in your community, fly your flags at half-mast, and observe a minute of silence at 11:00 am on April 28, 2016.

Mourn the dead. Fight for the living.