Health and Safety Conference Well Attended
More than 150 health and safety activists from Manitoba's labour movement attended the 29th annual MFL Health and Safety Conference at the Winnipeg Convention Center on May 7 and 8. Much of the conference participants' time was spent in workshops designed to provide workers with the training necessary to enable them to participate on joint labour-management workplace health and safety committees and to represent their fellow trade unionists on health and safety matters. The theme of this year's conference - 'Building the Right to Know'.
In her conference opening comments, MFL President Darlene Dziewit said "It is clear that building the right to know is more than just telling workers what their rights are – it is all about providing them with the tools and the confidence to exercise those rights."
She urged delegates to begin mentoring and grooming new activists within their locals so the fight for improvements to workplace safety and health can continue without a hiccup after they retire.
She told them that MFL affiliated unions have accomplished much over the past five years, participating in the review and updating of the provincial laws governing Workers' Compensation and Workplace Safety and Health. And she made it clear the effort, review and changes can't stop now.
"Over the past year," Dziewit said, "the leaders of our affiliates have been examining the MFL's structure, and how staff, and their duties, will fit into a potential new structure, with everything open to review. One thing is clear - the Labour movement is more complicated today than ever before, with more issues and priorities on our collective plate than ever.
"If we are to rise to whatever challenges our movement will face, be they a change in government, the new world economy, health and safety, labour laws, women’s issues, the emerging aboriginal workforce or problems faced by immigrants, our staff, and our affiliates must be able to respond swiftly, and to turn on a dime. We will not have the luxury of the same old, same old."
Darlene concluded her remarks with a tribute to Pete Walker, who left his position of MFL Health and Safety Representative at the beginning of this year to take up a position with the Workers Compensation Board.
"In Pete’s 10 years at the MFL, he embodied the dedication required to serve workers, with distinction. His knowledge of health and safety and workers compensation is second to none. When I first came to the MFL, Pete was supremely patient with me, and was as generous in sharing his knowledge with me as I know he is with everyone he comes into contact with."
The tribute to Pete Walker continued with chairs of the MFL Health and Safety and Worker's Compensation Committees, Tony Zienkiewicz (left) and Debbie Marantz, presenting a commemorative plaque with thanks to him.
Conference keynote speaker National CUPE President Paul Moist told the Convention that Manitoba has the best health and safety legislation in the country, thanks in large part to the efforts exerted by the labour movement. But, he said, new processes and materials are emerging all the time and that means the labour movement needs to stay vigilant and continue working hard to keep our workplaces safe.