The City of Vernon and the City’s Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOSHC) invite Vernon residents to join them for the National Day of Mourning at 10:30 on April 28.

The half-hour ceremony will take place outside of City Hall, where the flags will be lowered to half-mast and a moment of silence observed to remember workers who have been injured or lost their lives in the workplace.

Mayor Akbal Mund and representatives of JOSHC, CUPE 626 and Vernon Fire-Rescue Services will be speaking at the event. Refreshments will be available.

In B.C., an average of three workers die each week, 3,200 work injuries are reported every week and 19 workers are permanently disabled every working day.

More than 20 years ago, the Canadian Labour Congress declared April 28 a National Day of Mourning for workers who have been killed, or who suffer disease or injury as a result of work.

Every year since, unions, employers, labour councils, families and community partners gather by the thousands to mourn for the dead. What began through the efforts of Canada's labour movement is now observed in more than 100 countries.