USW members injured in massive explosion at Babine Forest Products in Burns Lake - community devastated
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January 23, 2012 - On behalf of the Executive and delegates of the Fraser Valley Labour Council, President Brian Harder joins with the United Steelworkers in expressing support for the injured workers and their families who have been impacted by the tragic explosion at Babine Forest Products in Burns Lake this weekend.
"We stand in solidarity with the injured workers and their families, the residents of Burns Lake and the Lake Babine Nation through these difficult times. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been impacted by this tragic event.
"As we await news on the whereabouts of the missing workers, we encourage this employer to continue their participation with a thorough and transparent investigation so that we can learn not only what happened that day but to ensure a tragic event like this is avoided in the future," said Brother Harder.
Workers at Babine Forest Products are members of the United Steelworkers Local 1-424. The United Steelworkers has dispatched its’ Emergency Response Team to Burns Lake to help respond to the needs of workers, their families and the local community in the wake of the explosion.