By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Labour Day picnic salutes workers’ impact on mid-island region

Aug 31, 2018 | 6:00 PM

NANAIMO — This year’s annual Labour Day picnic in Ladysmith holds a little extra meaning.

The Nanaimo, Duncan and District Labour Council is hosting its 60th annual Labour Day event Monday to recognize contributions the labour movement has had in building and maintaining mid-island infrastructure.

Ellen Oxman, the Council’s president, said about 500 people are expected for the picnic at Transfer Beach, featuring food, bouncy castles and live entertainment.

“We believe that labourors and workers, not just those in unions, have built our respective cities and we owe those before us a great debt,” Oxman told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The event runs betwen 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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Oxman said while improved legislation and enhanced pressure on industries to better protect B.C. workers are positives, there are still gaps to fill. She said far too many young workers die or get injured on the job throughout the province.

She said another source of concern is the amount of illnessess and deaths caused by asbestos in old buildings.

“It takes quite a number of years for the disease to show itself, most of the workers unfortunately that die every year from work-related diseases die from asbestos-related disease.”

WorkSafe BC reported 158 workplace deaths last year.

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