CEIU hosted its inaugural Health and Safety Conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, from Dec. 8 to 11, drawing 120 delegates, observers and guests from across the country under the theme, “Speak out for your health.” 

CEIU’s vision of health and safety 

Following an evening meet and greet, the first day opened with an overview of CEIU’s vision of health and safety from Rubina Boucher, CEIU National President, and Helen King, CEIU National Executive Vice-President. 
 
“Too often, we’ve encountered workplaces that fail to meet even the minimum standards required by the Code,” said Boucher. “We’ve worked to hold these departments accountable and will continue to do so, ensuring that negligence has no place in the environments where our members work.” 

Boucher went on to stress the importance of collaboration, the rise and strength of CEIU’s Mental Health and Wellness Committee, the desire to communicate more about health and safety, and robust training for members and union leadership. 

King then addressed several health and safety challenges that CEIU continues to navigate, ranging from physical and psychological hazards to workload issues, bedbugs, asbestos, harassment and violence prevention and more.  

“As we reflect on the strides we’ve made in occupational health and safety, it is vital to acknowledge that none of these successes have ever been the product of a single individual,” King said. “Every achievement we celebrate today is the result of a collective effort.” 

From the Labour Program to labour organizing 

Employees with the federal Labour Program gave an overview about the program, which is responsible for administration and enforcement of Part II of the Canada Labour Code, working with employers and employees to help fulfill their responsibilities and obligations under the legislation. 

An afternoon panel on “The realities of union advocacy at a Policy Occupational Health and Safety Committee” included perspectives from Helen King, Judith Côté, National Vice-President for Quebec, and Christine Price, former National Vice-President, Immigration and Refugee Board. 

The second day of the conference focused on capacity-building workshops led by CEIU Member Engagement Officers Ailish Morgan Welden and Ashley Petrin, who presented on how to write an occupational health and safety (OHS) resolution in a union setting, along with a session on effective communication between OHS activists.