REPENTIGNY – The United Steelworkers/Syndicat des Métallos is shaken by the death of one of its members on Wednesday in an explosion at the General Dynamics munitions factory in the Le Gardeur area of Repentigny, Que.
The late-morning explosion claimed the life of Philippe Cusson, a 38-year-old father of three children.
“We offer our condolences to his wife, his children, his friends and all of his fellow Steelworkers in Locals 9238 and 9421. It is a great shock to lose a loved one in a workplace fatality. We send them our sympathies and share in their grief,” said Benoit Locas, the Steelworkers’ North/Northwest Regional Co-ordinator in Quebec.
An investigation has been launched by Quebec’s health and safety regulator, the Commission des normes, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST). Since yesterday, Steelworkers union representatives, stewards from the Laurentides-Lanaudière regional council of the Quebec Federation of Labour (FTQ) and an emergency response team have been on site to support workers and participate in the investigation into the fatality.
“We are participating in the investigation and collaborating with CNESST. No one should lose their life on the job. It is essential to understand what led to this tragic death,” said Éric Blais, Steelworkers Local 9238 President, and Daniel Meilleur, President of Local 9421 representing office employees, in a joint statement.
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