Sudbury is no stranger to mining tragedies. This is, after all, a hard rock town. On June 20, the community pays tribute to one particular mining tragedy that occurred 37 years ago this year, but in remembering, tribute is paid to every miner who has lost their life underground, and to the families left behind.
As it has done every year for the past 37 years, Mine Mill Local 598 Unifor pays tribute to the workers who died that day and to all workers whose safety, health and lives are put on the line everyday. Below, you can view this year's virtual memorial ceremony.
In June 1984, a seismic event shook Northeastern Ontario, leading to a deadly collapse at Falconbridge Mine.
Three miners — Sulo Korpela, Richard Chenier and Daniel Lavallee, all members of Mine Mill Local 598 — lost their lives instantly in the collapse. Wayne St. Michel was left trapped below surface, calling for help as his desperate rescuers attempted to dig him out with their bare hands.
Though they could hear him and he could hear them, he died mere minutes before he could be freed.
The following year, the first Workers Memorial Day was held to honour the four men lost in this terrible tragedy. This June 20th marks the 37th anniversary.
Eric Boulay, president of the Mine, Mill & Smelter Workers’ Union Local 598 UNIFOR, said since that first memorial nearly 40 years ago, the event has evolved.
“The memorial has since evolved and now honours all fallen, sick and injured workers, with a focus on a future that is free from these types of events. We strive for a day when no one ever becomes sick or injured in the workplace,” Boulay said.
Richard Paquin served as president of Mine Mill for six years before becoming the national representative for Unifor, and has spent the past seven years as the union’s mining director. He said the memorial is event is a reminder to make safety a priority every day.
“This event is for Sudbury to remember the death of four of our members, but it’s also a chance for us to re-educate ourselves, to make sure that we take no chances at work so that we get to return home safe and healthy every day,” he said.
“Mining is a very dangerous occupation and it is not forgiving. The goal is to make sure everybody follows the rules and procedures, because they were put in place for a reason — at some point, somebody got hurt or died because of it.”
Mine Mill and other unions are part of several governmental groups that help change the rules in the mining industry. Reporting directly to the Minister of Labour, they track accidents across the province, recommend changes and rules that are strict and properly implemented. It’s the only way to prevent further fatalities.
Occupational illnesses are another concern. Many health conditions arise from working in the mines and workers are dedicated to fighting for those who pass away from these illnesses, too.
Fatalities, workplace injuries and occupational illnesses still occur. In the past few years around 1,000 people died from workplace injuries. Last year in Ontario, almost 200 died due to occupational illnesses.
Around the world, every 30 seconds someone dies because of workplace injury or illness.
“That’s why we’re reminding people and employers to make sure they go by the rules,” says Paquin. “We’re improving and that’s a good thing, but we’re not where we need to be. We’re trying to achieve zero fatalities in any workplace, especially in the mines.”
For more information, visit MineMill598.com.
