Union Rallies to Assist Burns Lake Workers and their Families
Sunday, January 22, 2012 @ 4:35 PM
Burns Lake B.C.- The United Steelworkers Union Local 1-424 has been working around the clock since Friday’s tragic explosion and fire in Burns Lake to make sure their members and their families are looked after.
“This is an unbelievable tragic disaster facing our members, families and community. We set all the support services possible into place to assist both those injured and those requiring assistance to be with family members injured in this disaster” says local 1-424 President Frank Everitt.
The union local has made arrangements for accommodations for those traveling to be with injured family members and transportation arrangements are in place should travel be outside the Prince George region.
As of this afternoon, Northern Health reports it has 1 patient, who is in stable condition, accepted for transfer from UHNBC in Prince George to VGH in Vancouver. The transfer will take place tomorrow due to weather conditions. Another 3 patients remain in stable condition in Prince George and 3 patients have been released from UHNBC today.
· 1 patient is in stable condition at St. John hospital in Vanderhoof.
· Total number of patients still in NH care is 5 (including the patient waiting to be transferred).
· In total 3 patients have been transferred to VGH in Vancouver (will increase to 4 on Monday after the patient is transferred from UHNBC to VGH), 2 patients have been transferred to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, and 1 patient has been transferred to Royal Jubilee in Victoria.
Two workers remain unaccounted for, Robert Luggi and Carl Charlie.
The Local 1-424 office has also contacted its District 3 office in Vancouver and requested the assistance of the USW Rapid Response Councillors.
The Union’s employee family assistance councillors are also on their way to Burns Lake and will work with the support organizations to ensure the needs of workers and their families are met.
“Our Union express’s our sincere appreciation to the first responders, fire departments and hospitals that provided support passion and care throughout this ordeal” says Everitt “Our thoughts and prayers are with our members, family, friends and community. Over the coming weeks working together and supporting our members and their families will be paramount.”
For travel, accommodations or other assistance provided by the Union you can contat the USW local 1-424 office at 250 563-7771 or:
Frank Everitt President (cell) 250- 960-9809
Brian O’Rourke Financial Secretary (cell) 250-960-8583
Comments
Good job Steelworkers!
And what are the American owners doing? Just wondering. Good job steelworkers union.
The owners are busy covering their collective butts right now. If what some of the workers are saying to the media is true; then there will be some hard questions to answer.
Good job Steelworkers and all involved in mitigating this uncalled for tragedy.
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