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"On behalf of the 340,000 NUPGE members, we offer deepest condolences to the families of all the victims of this terrible accident," said James Clancy, NUPGE National President.
Toronto (07 Feb. 2012) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) joins the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) in expressing its condolences after the tragic accident which took place on Monday killing 10 agricultural workers. NUPGE has supported the work of UFCW which has been at the fore-front of a two-decade campaign for increased workplace and safety rights for Ontario farm workers.
"On behalf of the 340,000 NUPGE members, we offer deepest condolences to the families of all the victims of this terrible accident," said James Clancy, NUPGE National President. "A tragedy is difficult at any time, yet to be thousands of miles away from loved ones trying to earn a living wage, the grief is so much more poignant."
"The safe transportation of agriculture workers has always been a critical issue, and we must expect a relentless investigation into how and why such a tragedy occurred," said Wayne Hanley, UFCW Canada President. In association with the Agriculture Workers Alliance (AWA), UFCW Canada operates four Ontario support centres for domestic and migrant workers and six others centres across Canada.
It is reported that some of the victims were migrant agriculture workers. More than 20,000 migrants work in the Ontario agriculture sector each season. The identities of the victims have been withheld until the next-of-kin are informed.
"This is a terrible loss for the families of the victims, as well for the Ontario community," said Hanley, the leader of Canada's largest private-sector union.
"This is shocking reminder to the more than 10,000 members of the Agriculture Workers Association who already know the dangers involved in working in the agriculture sector. Out of respect for the victims, and for all the men and women working in the agriculture sector, we will work to ensure that every factor in this accident is investigated to make certain it never happens again.”
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE