MONTREAL – The Syndicat des Métallos/United Steelworkers union (USW) is shocked by a July 12 hit-and-run at a Montreal road construction site that injured two traffic control workers, with one of the workers suffering life-threatening injuries.
Several of the workers’ colleagues who witnessed the horrific scene were still in a state of shock as they gathered for a vigil the following evening, July 13. The number of work-related deaths caused by reckless drivers increases every year, the USW noted.
“We sincerely hope the seriously injured worker recovers quickly and we offer our support to the workers who have been injured and shaken by this hit-and-run,” said Isabelle Fagondo, an officer with USW Local 9005, which represents about 1,000 traffic signal workers in Quebec.
“This latest tragedy is a shock and an outrage,” said Nathalie Perron, a USW Local 9005 officer who is calling for regulatory changes to ensure greater safety for workers.
“We’re angry because for several years we’ve been demanding changes to road construction contracts and how these contracts are awarded, in order to improve traffic control, prevention and training,” Perron said.
The Steelworkers union in Quebec has long advocated for two major changes to improve safety at road construction sites, including more comprehensive safety training for workers of companies that are awarded government contracts.
The union also has called on the Quebec government to expand the province’s mandatory training course for new drivers to include a component related to the safety of traffic control workers.
USW representatives and Quebec Federation of Labour (FTQ) counsellors are offering support to workers and families affected by the July 12 incident.
“We encourage our affected members to contact us for assistance,” said USW staff representative Martin L’Abbée.
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