Such a moving presentation of workers' struggles for their rights. I was working for a union as a health and safety officer when the Day of Mourning was introduced. Such a moving story, Charlie, you are a wonderful story teller. And you remind us all of the struggles workers had to go through to get workers' compensation and safer work sites. But there is still a long way to go. Keep at it.
I worked at Murray Mine and Old Clarabelle in Sudbury; I continued at Levack mine in Levack, Ontario, just NW of Sudbury, Ontario. I worked from 1966 to 1970 but I was getting chronic bronchitis so I quit after 3.5 years. I was scared of getting silicosis. While I worked at Murray I tried defending a killed worker who died because the Creighton mine would not upgrade its drift where the air pipes were all rusted and caked so badly that the switchman could not signal the motorman correctly and when he faced the old miner in a hurry to gain his slushertrench to keep up his bonus for the month, the signalman moved his head signing okay inadvertantly to the motorman at the same time that he was telling the old miner that he could go between the trains to his stope. The train moved while the old guy was jumping between the cars and he fell against the side of the drift and the next car crushed his head so that his eyes popped out and his skull was squashed. One is supposed to leave everything frozen when that happens but instead everything in that drift was changed even the drift was enlarged and the body was brought up to surface and laid in the first aid room. When I found this out I was outraged but I was taken off the case.
The union's chief steward only kept another fellow steward to finish the case; he told me later what happened. The old dead miner could not defend himself and the chief steward traded 9 grievances for shutting his mouth about the case. The wife of the old dead miner was left with seven children to take care of; she got a small settlement enough to provide for her and her children for two weeks and the chief steward became the president of the union for winning all those grievances.
Of course I was supposed to keep this a secret for the union as a union member but I wish I could tell everyone.
This happened around 1968. The chief steward who became president of USWA, United Steelworkers of America, local 6500 was Mickey McGwyer. May he burn in hell for the trouble he caused to that poor widow and her family. Was it worth 9 grievances?
Thank you Charlie, what a great story. It actually made chills run down my spine. Having listened to more than one of your speeches, I know that you have instilled in many of us the Canadian pride that so often gets laid by the wayside. Thank you again Charlie.
As a surgeon who deals with injured workers, I am forever grateful for Workman’s Compensation, as my patients get the physiotherapy (and other treatments) they need.
Thanks for writing this. I happened to park near the ceremony in Penticton which brought to mind the ceremonies at a railroad that I worked for. Before retirement I was a laptop jockey, but was hooked on going to field sites to bring new technology to those oil and gas sites. To visit the sites, I was required to take a fair amount of safety training to which I gained a large respect for the people that work in danger. I suspect things are different now, but I never saw any recognition of April 28 in oil and gas. I do hope that we all take some time to reflect on the sacrifices workers have made and how we can support everyone coming home from every shift.
Thanks for sharing this interesting story, Charlie. In the US, too, history considered “ unbecoming” to the owning class is simply deemed “unworthy” of study. Resistance! Resistance!
Thank you Charlie. I grew up in a mining town. Our world revolved around the mine. The mine has closed leaving empty buildings.. scrap metal, a tailings pond and memories. There are more than a few towns like this one. So your story resonates with me.
I'm from Northwestern Ontario originally, and my best summertime friend was from Cobalt. Her dad was an engineer, so I've always had an interest in this small town.
We visited Cobalt a few years ago & learned some of its labour history but I learned so much more from this, Charlie. Thanks for the Canadian history lesson…you’re right…never learned this at my Ontario schools. Elbow Up. ❤️🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦
Thank you Charlie. This history needs to be shared. Many people do not appreciate how the rights that we now enjoy in Canada have been fought for and they take our freedoms for granted.
Such a moving presentation of workers' struggles for their rights. I was working for a union as a health and safety officer when the Day of Mourning was introduced. Such a moving story, Charlie, you are a wonderful story teller. And you remind us all of the struggles workers had to go through to get workers' compensation and safer work sites. But there is still a long way to go. Keep at it.
I worked at Murray Mine and Old Clarabelle in Sudbury; I continued at Levack mine in Levack, Ontario, just NW of Sudbury, Ontario. I worked from 1966 to 1970 but I was getting chronic bronchitis so I quit after 3.5 years. I was scared of getting silicosis. While I worked at Murray I tried defending a killed worker who died because the Creighton mine would not upgrade its drift where the air pipes were all rusted and caked so badly that the switchman could not signal the motorman correctly and when he faced the old miner in a hurry to gain his slushertrench to keep up his bonus for the month, the signalman moved his head signing okay inadvertantly to the motorman at the same time that he was telling the old miner that he could go between the trains to his stope. The train moved while the old guy was jumping between the cars and he fell against the side of the drift and the next car crushed his head so that his eyes popped out and his skull was squashed. One is supposed to leave everything frozen when that happens but instead everything in that drift was changed even the drift was enlarged and the body was brought up to surface and laid in the first aid room. When I found this out I was outraged but I was taken off the case.
The union's chief steward only kept another fellow steward to finish the case; he told me later what happened. The old dead miner could not defend himself and the chief steward traded 9 grievances for shutting his mouth about the case. The wife of the old dead miner was left with seven children to take care of; she got a small settlement enough to provide for her and her children for two weeks and the chief steward became the president of the union for winning all those grievances.
Of course I was supposed to keep this a secret for the union as a union member but I wish I could tell everyone.
This happened around 1968. The chief steward who became president of USWA, United Steelworkers of America, local 6500 was Mickey McGwyer. May he burn in hell for the trouble he caused to that poor widow and her family. Was it worth 9 grievances?
I think you just did 💔 I am so sorry for the anguish you have lived with.
Thank you, but it's a true story and I made sure not to tell you too many details.
Thank you Charlie, what a great story. It actually made chills run down my spine. Having listened to more than one of your speeches, I know that you have instilled in many of us the Canadian pride that so often gets laid by the wayside. Thank you again Charlie.
Thank you For the lesson in our history and on a personal note Charlie Angus your thé Best 💪🇨🇦
As a surgeon who deals with injured workers, I am forever grateful for Workman’s Compensation, as my patients get the physiotherapy (and other treatments) they need.
Thanks for writing this. I happened to park near the ceremony in Penticton which brought to mind the ceremonies at a railroad that I worked for. Before retirement I was a laptop jockey, but was hooked on going to field sites to bring new technology to those oil and gas sites. To visit the sites, I was required to take a fair amount of safety training to which I gained a large respect for the people that work in danger. I suspect things are different now, but I never saw any recognition of April 28 in oil and gas. I do hope that we all take some time to reflect on the sacrifices workers have made and how we can support everyone coming home from every shift.
Thanks for sharing this interesting story, Charlie. In the US, too, history considered “ unbecoming” to the owning class is simply deemed “unworthy” of study. Resistance! Resistance!
My grandfather Rene Proulx was also killed on the job at the Hollinger mine around 1950. Thanks for your writing and your good work.
Thank you for sharing these Canadian stories, Charlie.
Thank you Charlie. I grew up in a mining town. Our world revolved around the mine. The mine has closed leaving empty buildings.. scrap metal, a tailings pond and memories. There are more than a few towns like this one. So your story resonates with me.
From an injured first responder and daughter of a coal miner in NS, thank you ❤️
I'm from Northwestern Ontario originally, and my best summertime friend was from Cobalt. Her dad was an engineer, so I've always had an interest in this small town.
We visited Cobalt a few years ago & learned some of its labour history but I learned so much more from this, Charlie. Thanks for the Canadian history lesson…you’re right…never learned this at my Ontario schools. Elbow Up. ❤️🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦
Thank you Charlie. This history needs to be shared. Many people do not appreciate how the rights that we now enjoy in Canada have been fought for and they take our freedoms for granted.
I grew up in Sydney Mines and worked for OHSC in NB - much respect for this Post! TY!
https://youtu.be/Nl_-vH-U4Rs?si=M0nCpyNfBnSEwMdS
Thanks so much Charlie, for this article today?