EDMONTON – Alberta’s largest union will have an unusual guest at its ceremony to honour workers killed or injured on the job.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says for the first time ever the province’s labour minister will attend its annual day of mourning service on Thursday.
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Union president Guy Smith says having minister Christina Gray speak at the event indicates the NDP wants to improve workplace safety.
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Smith says the union hopes that will include making it easier for employees such as social workers, hospital emergency room staff and correctional officers to get help for post-traumatic stress disorder.
In 2012, the Progressive Conservative government passed legislation to give first responders such as police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians coverage for PTSD without having to prove their condition is work-related.
But the Tories voted down an NDP amendment to extend the bill to other employees.
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Last month Gray announced a review of the Workers’ Compensation Board, including coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Gray says the government won’t decide what it will change until the review is complete next year.
In the meantime, Gray says it is important to attend the day of mourning ceremony to recognize there is more the government can do to help its employees.
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