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Honouring Workers on the Day of Mourning
April 28, 2025
April 28 marks the National Day of Mourning, a solemn occasion when workers, unions, families, and communities across Newfoundland and Labrador — and the entire country — gather to remember those who have been killed, injured, or made ill on the job.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) led today’s commemoration, calling for renewed action to make workplaces safer and healthier for everyone.
A Mother’s Heartbreaking Story
Among the speakers was Terri Murphy, mother of Jonathan Murphy, a young pipefitter who lost his life in a workplace accident six years ago.
Terri shared her family’s devastating experience, offering a deeply personal account of the agonizing aftermath of workplace fatalities.
“I knew John was at work. And he was safe — or so I thought,” Terri said.
Terri explained that families are often left without answers for years. Investigations by Occupational Health and Safety can take up to two years to complete, and even then, court proceedings may delay closure further.
Rather than wait, Terri took it upon herself to seek the truth about what happened to her son. She met with the men who had been working with Jonathan that day, advocated for them to receive mental health support, and engaged directly with management teams to highlight areas where safety operations had failed.
“The grief overwhelms you at times, and you don’t know if you yourself are alive or dead,” she shared.
“But with each step, I get stronger — with an angel above me and my family by my side.”
Terri credited Threads of Life, a national charity supporting families affected by workplace tragedy, for helping her family find a path forward through unimaginable loss.
Pinning Ribbons in Memory and Support
As part of the ceremony, attendees were invited to pin ribbons to a memorial wreath — each ribbon representing a donation to Threads of Life in honour of workers who have lost their lives or been injured at work.
The act of pinning a ribbon served as both a personal gesture of remembrance and a commitment to supporting families living with the consequences of workplace tragedies.
RNUNL was proud to participate, with Vice-President Kim Parsons pinning a ribbon on behalf of all Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The growing number of ribbons symbolized the collective promise to fight for safer workplaces.
Reflecting on the ceremony, RNUNL Vice-President Kim Parsons shared her thoughts:
“For many years, I have had the privilege of attending the National Day of Mourning on behalf of RNUNL in the St. John’s region. This solemn occasion is a time to remember and honour those whose lives have been lost or forever changed due to workplace tragedies. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to enhancing health and safety in our workplaces — to prevent further injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.”
Kim also spoke about the unique challenges faced by health care workers, emphasizing that workplace injuries extend beyond the physical:
“This day serves as a powerful reminder of why RNUNL continues to fight for safer workplaces. In health care, it’s not only the physical injuries that weigh heavily on our members, but also the emotional toll of care work. The guilt, burnout, moral distress, and PTSD that come from working in chronically understaffed and under-supported environments.”
She reaffirmed RNUNL’s call for systemic change:
“We continue to call for the creation of an independent Health Sector Safety Council, one that will take the occupational health and safety needs of our members and all health care workers seriously.We owe it to those we have lost. We owe it to those who remain and have been forever changed.”
RNUNL’s Renews Call for an Independent Health Sector Safety Council
The Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland and Labrador (RNUNL) emphasized that while remembrance is important, action is critical.
RNUNL continues to advocate for the creation of an independent Health Sector Safety Council — a body dedicated to protecting the health and safety of nurses, health care workers, and patients.
Such a council would:
- Conduct independent investigations of health care sector incidents.
- Monitor and enforce safety standards across hospitals, long-term care homes, and community clinics.
- Empower workers to report safety concerns without fear of reprisal.
“Nurses and health care workers deserve workplaces that are safe, respectful, and properly resourced,” said RNUNL President Yvette Coffey. “An independent Health Sector Safety Council would give workers a stronger voice and ensure accountability where it matters most.”
More Than Remembrance — A Call to Action
The Day of Mourning is not just a day to grieve — it is a call to act.
Today, we pause to remember Terri Murphy’s son Jonathan, and all workers who never made it home.
We honour them not only with memories and ceremonies but with an unwavering commitment to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Because every worker deserves to come home.