BEAUCEVILLE, Que. – Following the death of three workers at the Bois ouvré wood-processing facility in Beauceville, the Syndicat des Métallos/United Steelworkers union, which represents the plant’s employees, wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the families, loved ones and friends of the victims of the Sept. 20 explosion.
Our union also wishes to express our support for our members of Local 9531 who have lost three of their own, and who face an uncertain impact on their livelihoods, though the employer has confirmed an intention to reopen the plant. In this regard, the union is providing members with all the resources they will need in the meantime to obtain the support and help they need.
The plant’s workers also met this morning with management and union representatives, and a network of psychological support has been set up to ensure the well-being of all employees, unionized and non-unionized. If necessary, the union will hold further meetings with workers.
The union will not comment publicly on the circumstances of the explosion, in consideration of the investigations being conducted by the CNESST (health and safety regulators) and the Sûreté du Québec (police). Out of respect for the families, the union will not release an official assessment, though it is offering its full assistance and availability to the authorities to shed light on this tragic event.
Finally, given the trauma experienced by the families, the plant’s workers and the community of Beauceville and the surrounding area, the union is urging members of the media to approach their coverage of the tragedy with respect and compassion.
The Syndicat des Métallos/United Steelworkers, affiliated with the Quebec Federation of Labour, is the largest private-sector union in Quebec, representing more than 60,000 workers in all economic sectors.
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