This day is never easy to prepare for.
In an ideal world, no one is injured or killed simply because they went to work. But in 2025, the Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) recognized that 27 workers lost their lives due to work in 2025.
Today, we honour those we've lost because of their work.
But each one of these deaths was preventable.
We have strong Occupational Health and Safety legislation because workers have fought for over 50 years! One of the fiercest advocates for strong Occupational Health and Safety Legislation was Robert ‘Bob’ Sass.
Bob was a true hero to working people. As the first ever Director of Occupational Health and Safety in Saskatchewan—actually in all of North America—Bob authored the 3 workers rights:
- the right to know
- the right to participate
- the right to refuse
Thanks to his commitment to working people, hundreds of thousands of workers return home safe and healthy each and every day.
But our work isn't done. We must continue to hold employers and governments accountable. It is shameful that employers put profit over worker safety. We must push for stronger legislation and penalties that are a real deterrent for these employers.
For now, we can be cautiously optimistic. Time loss claims and injury rates are declining and fatalities are decreasing, but until those numbers are zero, our work isn’t finished. We must know every worker has gone home safe at the end of each day.
So, today we mourn the dead. Tomorrow, we fight like hell for the living!
Solidarity brothers and sisters,
Jason Monteith
SEIU-West Vice President