Steelworkers urge miners with ALS or motor neuron diseases to participate in crucial research

TORONTO – The United Steelworkers union (USW) is encouraging Ontario miners diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neuron diseases (MNDs) to participate in crucial research to confirm whether the diseases are occupational illnesses that qualify for compensation.

“Our goal is to confirm that these diseases are occupational illnesses and to ensure that workers who suffered as a result, as well as their surviving family members, receive the compensation and justice they deserve,” said Myles Sullivan, Ontario Director of the USW, which represents tens of thousands of mining workers.

“We’re urging former workers and surviving relatives to come forward and to register to be included in this important research project,” Sullivan said.

The USW is collaborating with the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) in a public awareness campaign to seek out mining industry workers or their surviving family members.

The OHCOW is currently working with a neurotoxicologist to review and investigate existing cases further. More cases are being sought to expand and strengthen the existing research on miners struck by ALS and MNDs – neurological disorders that destroy motor neurons, the cells that control skeletal muscle activity such as walking, breathing, speaking and swallowing.

“To date, the research indicates workers in Ontario mining operations had a 31% higher risk of contracting these diseases,” said Janice Martell, a USW member and OHCOW employee.

“However, more workers are being sought to be included in this research because cases of these diseases are rare, which makes it important to find as many affected workers as possible to advance the research,” she said.

The founder of the McIntyre Powder Project, Martell’s activism already has helped former miners and surviving family members qualify for workers’ compensation as a result of exposure to toxins that caused Parkinson’s disease. Similar efforts are now focusing on mining workers with ALS and MNDs.

“Anyone who worked in mines and mining operations in Ontario and who was diagnosed with either ALS or motor neuron disease is eligible to register with OHCOW to be included in this research. Surviving family members of deceased workers can register as well,” Martell said.

To register with OHCOW, or for more information, workers and family members can contact Janice Martell at 1-800-461-7120, or at jmartell@ohcow.on.ca.

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