25th Health and Safety Conference Huge Success

Over 180 activists crammed into every possible meeting room in Thompson, Manitoba, on May 11 and 12 for the MFL's 25th Annual Health and Safety Conference. The two two days were spent with delegates learning from each other on many topics of workplace safety and health.

Upon arrival on Wednesday, May 10, 35 delegates were taken on an underground mine tour to see the workings of Manitoba's premier nickel producing mine at Inco. From drifts and scoop trams to safe rooms, the accent was on how health and safety is quite different 4,000 feet underground.

The conference opened at 8 a.m. May 11 with registration handled by the USW Local 6166 health and safety representatives. After introductions and welcoming comments, former Labour Minister Becky Barrett spoke to delegates about the need to educate and lobby MLA's and cabinet ministers on the effects of policy decisions.

She said that without input from those who do the work covered by the law on what is lacking and how the Workplace Safety and Health Act fails injured workers, it would be impossible to create effective and enforceable laws. Sister Barrett wished the delegates a good conference and gave thanks for their continuing efforts and dedication to preventing workplace injuries from happening.

Delegates then went to seven different locations around Thompson to learn and discuss topics such as the basics of health and safety committees, how to make the committees more effective, what emerging environmental issues they are finding in their workplaces, how to apply ergonomic solutions, and how to understand, address and deal with stress in and from the workplace. Also discussed were recent changes to the Workers Compensation Act and how to meet the challenges of returning to work following an injury. The contents of the new regulation that will soon be rolled out were reviewed.

The Steelworkers Northern Manitoba Area Council treated the delegates to a networking session on Thursday evening at the Union Hall from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with food and refreshments. It was such a warm northern evening that many mingled outdoors and indoors both in their shirtsleeves and light clothing. No jackets were needed with the temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius. Later that evening Thompson's restaurants and bars were "hopping" as delegates enjoyed the hospitality and friendliness of the North.

At the Friday lunch and wrap up, delegates once again enjoyed a wonderful meal from the staff of the Juniper Center, the plenary hall location. The workshop spokespeople who were either elected or appointed to report back spoke highly of the quality of the workshop information sharing and each and every one thanked their workshop leaders for a job well done.

The main themes of the reports back were the desire for more learning opportunities, and more contact and sharing of ideas with the other activists they had met at the conference. MFL President Darlene Dziewit spoke to the delegates about the need to encourage others to be more involved in their union and workplace.

Many praises were heaped upon USW Local 6166 for their hospitality and opening of their community to the delegates. In total, 180 people from all over Manitoba came by bus, car and plane to attend the conference. The largest delegation was from North of 53 with 80 delegates attending. There were also 70 delegates from Winnipeg, and 30 from other towns including Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, Swan River, Beausejour and many others.

The planning committee of the MFL Health and Safety Committee would particularly like to send a special thanks to Brother Perry Oxford and Brother Paul Zahayko for their assistance and dedication as our contacts in the North. They both did an excellent job.

Thanks also go to the United Steelworkers, the Manitoba Government Employees Union and the United Food and Commercial Union in Thompson for the help and hospitality. Many of the evaluations by delegates spoke highly of the North and Northerners and delegates were completely ecstatic with their stay in Thompson. For some, it was their first, but certainly not their last, visit to the North.