Statement from the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour on the Westray coal mine disaster in Pictou County
Today, we remember the tragic events of May 9, 1992, when 26 miners lost their lives in the Westray coal mine disaster in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. This devastating loss of life was preventable, and these workers died because of unsafe working conditions, ignored warnings, and a failure to prioritize worker safety. More than three decades later, the pain of this tragedy still lingers in our communities, and it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of workplace safety. The Westray disaster was a turning point in the fight for workers’ rights in Nova Scotia and across Canada. It exposed the deadly consequences of putting profits ahead of people. It also led to critical changes, including the Westray Law, which holds employers criminally responsible when their negligence leads to the death or serious injury of a worker. While this law is a step forward, it is not enough.
Far too many workers continue to die or be injured on the job in our province. Every worker can return home safely at the end of their shift. Yet, in Nova Scotia, workers are still exposed to unsafe conditions, inadequate enforcement of safety laws, and employers who fail to take their responsibilities seriously. These are not just numbers or statistics; they are real people with families, friends, and dreams. Each workplace death is a tragedy, and every injury is a reminder that we have not done enough. While we have made progress since Westray, but we still have a long way to go. No worker should ever have to choose between their job and their safety.
No family should ever have to receive the news that their loved one will not be coming home. The Federation of Labour stands with all workers, their families, and their communities, demanding stronger protections and accountability for workplace safety. We call on employers, the government, and all of society to honour the memory of the Westray miners by doing more. We need more vigorous enforcement of safety laws, better training, and a commitment to putting workers’ lives above profits. Workplace deaths are not accidents—they are preventable. May the memory of the 26 miners who died at Westray inspire us to fight harder for a future where no worker has to fear for their life while earning a living. We owe it to the Westray miners, their families, and all workers who’ve been lost to unsafe workplaces to keep fighting until every worker in Nova Scotia and beyond is safe.
Today, May 9, 2025, some 33 years later, we will lay a wreath at the Westray Miners Park in New Glasgow to remember the 26 miners lost in this workplace tragedy.
